UNESCO Convention Opens Path to Degree Recognition and Mobility Among Arab States

The UNESCO convention aimed at making the recognition of higher education qualifications fairer and more consistent across the Arab region has entered into force. The agreement, referred to as the Arab States Recognition Convention, is open to all Arab states.

This convention provides a framework for the recognition of qualifications across borders, which is crucial for academic mobility and the assessment of qualifications. Stig Arne Skjerven, chair of the bureau for UNESCO's Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education, stated that students and graduates in the Arab States now have a regional instrument in place that provides a framework for the recognition of their qualifications.

The Arab States Recognition Convention requires participating states to assess qualifications from one another using shared criteria. This includes evaluating applications within a reasonable timeframe and giving applicants the right to appeal a decision. Maysoun Chehab, chief of section at UNESCO's Regional Office in Beirut, explained that the Convention replaces a fragmented picture with one shared framework.

The changes brought about by the Convention should make it easier for students and graduates to have their degrees recognised when pursuing further study, work or professional recognition in another participating country. It should mean faster, clearer and more predictable recognition of their degrees. Chehab added that the agreement could support greater student and academic mobility, as well as help universities develop exchange partnerships and joint or dual-degree programs.

The Convention could be particularly relevant for displaced students and scholars in a region affected by conflict, where people can struggle to demonstrate earlier learning or have qualifications recognised when documents are incomplete or inaccessible. Chehab stated that UNESCO sees the Convention as particularly meaningful for displaced populations in the region, for whom recognition of prior learning is often a lifeline.

The convention has entered into force after Lebanon's ratification brought the number of countries that had ratified the 2022 Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab States to five. The agreement is open to all Arab states.

The implementation of the Convention will now be the focus of UNESCO. Convening ministry representatives from across the region later this year to agree how the agreement will work in practice is a key part of this process. Chehab stated that the immediate priority is to help translate the Convention from a legal commitment into everyday practice. This includes supporting countries to establish or strengthen national recognition bodies and put the Convention's procedures into practice.

## UNESCO's Regional Recognition Conventions

The UNESCO convention is one of five regional recognition conventions. The following table outlines the status of these conventions:

| Convention | Status | | --- | --- | | Arab States Recognition Convention | In force | | European Region Convention | In force | | Latin America and the Caribbean Convention | In force | | Asia-Pacific Convention | In force | | Global Convention | In force |

## Implementation of the Convention

The implementation of the Convention will be a key focus for UNESCO in the coming months. This will involve convening ministry representatives from across the region to agree how the agreement will work in practice. Chehab stated that the immediate priority is to help translate the Convention from a legal commitment into everyday practice. This includes supporting countries to establish or strengthen national recognition bodies and put the Convention's procedures into practice.

The implementation of the Convention has the potential to make a significant difference to students and graduates in the Arab region. It should make it easier for them to have their degrees recognised when pursuing further study, work or professional recognition in another participating country. It should also support greater student and academic mobility, as well as help universities develop exchange partnerships and joint or dual-degree programs.