The mandate of UNESCO in teacher education is to mobilize and assist Member States to design and implement viable national policies concerning teacher education and training, recruitment, retention, status and working conditions. The Organization conducts and disseminates research and evaluations, develops policy briefs, toolkits and materials, builds capacity and promotes the exchange of good practices.

UNESCO is responsible for the ten-year Teacher Training Initiative for sub-Saharan Africa (TTISSA) which aims to support increased quantity and improved quality of the teaching force in sub-Saharan Africa. UNESCO works closely with stakeholders such as other UN agencies, bilateral development partners, NGOs, universities and the private sector in order to fulfil its mission in teacher education.