Estonia aims to host International Summit on Teaching Profession in 2026

  • 2025-01-13
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - The Estonian Ministry of Education and Research has informed the OECD and Education International (EI) of its intention to host the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP).

Organized in collaboration with the OECD and EI, the global event would bring education leaders from over 20 countries to Estonia to discuss the future of the teaching profession and share best practices, spokespeople for the ministry said.

Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas said that hosting such a high-profile education event would solidify Estonia’s position as a leader in education.

"Estonia’s education system is internationally recognized for its innovation and success stories. This summit is an opportunity to showcase our achievements, gain insights from other countries, and share our experiences," Kallas said.

She added that Estonia’s expertise and contributions are particularly valuable in addressing global challenges such as the integration of artificial intelligence in education and reducing socioeconomic inequality.

The summit is planned for spring 2026. While formal discussion sessions will be at the core of the event, international delegations -- including representatives from major nations -- will also have the chance to visit Estonian schools and discovery centers to experience the local education system firsthand. This provides a unique opportunity to highlight Estonia’s educational achievements, boost education-related exports, and increase the nation’s global visibility.

ISTP is one of the most significant international education events, bringing together education ministers, representatives of teacher unions, and school leaders to address the challenges and future directions of the teaching profession. Participating countries include top education performers such as Singapore, the United States, and France. Since its inception in 2011, the ISTP has become the premier platform for discussions on the future of teaching. The 2024 summit was hosted by Singapore, while Iceland will host the 2025 event.

Kallas has presented Estonia’s bid to the Estonian government, which has approved the submission to host ISTP in 2026.