The Ministers of Education of the 34 Member States of the OAS meet approximately every two years, in order to:

• Discuss current issues in education policy and practice,
• Establish a regional agenda for educational cooperation, and
• Review the progresses made on mandates related to education that emanate from the Summit of the Americas and previous education ministerial meetings.

Each ministerial meeting represents the culmination of a process of policy dialogue aimed at strengthening national educational policies and programs through the exchange of lessons learned, innovations, and resources among member countries. Each ministerial process includes consultations with civil society and sub regional, regional and international organizations that are working to improve educational quality and equity in the hemisphere.

The mandates and plans of action emanated from the Ministerial Meetings are incorporated to the work plan of the Inter-American Committee on Education (CIE) with the purpose of organizing and following up on its implementation through the CIE Technical Secretariat. The CIE carries out its functions with the support of the General Secretariat of the OAS, especially through the services of its Technical Secretariat, the Department of Human Development, Education and Employment.