Kazakhstan promotes regional higher education cooperation through ratification of the Tokyo Convention

Adopted in 2011 and entered into force in 2018, the Tokyo Convention modernised the regional recognition architecture by embedding principles of transparency, quality assurance, information exchange and fairness. It builds on decades of cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries and reflects evolving realities of cross-border education and labour mobility. By implementing the Convention, States Parties commit to ensuring that qualifications are assessed on the basis of learning outcomes, rather than procedural barriers.

UNESCO has worked closely with Kazakhstan over the years to strengthen national capacities in the area of recognition of qualifications, including through technical consultations and peer exchange. Kazakhstan's engagement in these processes has contributed to reinforcing regional dialogue and shaping good practices in recognition policies.

The ratification of Tokyo Convention also complements Kazakhstan's commitment to ratifying the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education , which operates in synergy with UNESCO's regional conventions on higher education. Together, these instruments form a coherent global framework that promotes academic and professional mobility, supports economic integration, and enhances transparency across higher education systems worldwide.