1 March: Launch of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development was launched on 1 March, in New York, by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UNESCO's Koïchiro Matsuura.

During the launch of the Decade, a round table of experts on the major challenges and objectives for the implementation of the Decade was also carried out. Key issues in the implementation of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development were identified as well as new challenges and opportunities expected during this period. Links between Education for Sustainable Development issues and UN mechanisms were recommended. Aspects related to the role and involvement of Governments, NGOs, INGOs, civil society and the private sector were also discussed.


The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) aims to see Education for Sustainable Development implemented in thousands of local situations on the ground, involving the integration of the principles of Sustainable Development into a multitude of different learning situations.

For background information on the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, and an electronic version of the Draft International Implementation Scheme for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, please refer to the following UNESCO website page.

For further information on the Decade for Education for Sustainable Development at UNESCO, please contact: esddecade@unesco.org