The 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, Countdown to 2030: Access and equity, takes stock of progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 and highlights where learners are still being left behind, with a particular focus on equitable access to education.

The report is the first in a three-part Countdown to 2030 series that will also explore quality and learning (2027) and relevance (2028). It brings together evidence on who is excluded, where barriers persist across education levels, and what policy choices can accelerate progress towards inclusive, equitable education systems.

The report will be presented at a high-level launch event on 25 March 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The launch event will present the 2026 GEM Report, followed by discussions on access and equity. Sessions will explore topics including out-of-school learners, funding, early childhood and post-secondary education. These thematic sessions will bring together government representatives and education partners to explore practical solutions and collaboration in the run-up to 2030.

The event will be livestreamed on the UNESCO website. The full GEM Report will be available on the UNESCO website after the launch.