Istanbul Hosts the Launch of EdUnion Forum 2026 with Participation from Representatives of 55 Countries and 67 Education Unions

Istanbul – The Istanbul EdUnion Forum 2026 officially commenced in Istanbul, Türkiye, bringing together representatives of 67 education unions from 55 countries, alongside international and regional educational organizations. The forum is being held under the theme: "Education and Work in an Era of Global Uncertainty: Shared Problems, Shared Solutions."

The forum witnessed the official launch of the new institutional identity, Istanbul EdUnion Forum, as a permanent international platform for dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity among education professionals worldwide.

Participants include representatives from Education International, the Arab Organization for Education, as well as educational unions and institutions from Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America.

The forum also welcomed delegations from the Iraqi Teachers Syndicate and the Kurdistan Teachers Union – Iraq, whose representatives are taking part in panel discussions and specialized workshops addressing the current challenges facing education and education professionals at both regional and international levels.

The two-day forum program features two plenary sessions and six specialized workshops focusing on major issues affecting the education sector and its workforce, including the impact of wars, conflicts and migration, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, poverty and hunger, women in education, inclusive education, trade union rights, and professional standards.

In his opening remarks, Ali Yalçın, President of the Turkish Education Union (Eğitim-Bir-Sen), stated that the world is currently experiencing an "era of uncertainty," characterized by overlapping economic crises, climate change, geopolitical conflicts, technological revolutions, and shifts in labor markets, all of which require a reconsideration of global education and labor policies.

He emphasized that the forum aims not only to exchange ideas but also to establish practical foundations for international cooperation and to advocate for quality education, decent work, and the rights of education workers. He added that the forum's outcomes would be transformed into a global declaration and a shared roadmap to strengthen international solidarity in education.

The forum represents an important step toward building a global network of cooperation among unions and educational institutions and reinforcing the role of education as a fundamental tool for achieving development, justice, and stability in the face of rapidly evolving global challenges.

At the conclusion of its proceedings, the forum is expected to issue a set of recommendations and outcomes that will contribute to supporting educational causes and enhancing international cooperation among participating organizations and education unions, with the aim of advancing education and protecting the rights of teachers and education workers worldwide.