A/68/294 stronger focus on equity and quality, is needed to shape the global development agenda beyond 2015. 26. Despite recent progress in education worldwide, in some countries unprecedented disparities in access to education have been witnessed, as well as poor learning achievements as the demand for education grows and the forms of education offered become more diverse. In many parts of the world inequalities in opportunities for education will be exacerbated by the growth of unregulated private providers of education, with wealth or economic status becoming the most important criterion to access a quality education. Even quality basic education is becoming a privilege of the wealthy, whereas it should progressively be made free at all levels in line with international legal obligations of States under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other human rights conventions. As such, States must be reminded of their core obligation to ensure that the right to education without discrimination or exclusion is fully respected and fulfilled. They must abide by the fundamental principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity for all in education, if the existing gap between the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals agenda and the reality witnessed is to be avoided in the future. Those principles are common to almost all international human rights conventions, and should be the determining factor in shaping a future development agenda. 27. Reflections on such an agenda, and the widespread consultation process by the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, has resulted in the report presented to the Secretary-General on 30 May 2013, entitled A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development. 3 The report of the High-level Panel envisages the scenario in which no person is denied universal human rights and basic economic opportunities, and where accountable institutions are built and a new partnership between the developed and developing nations is forged. It proposes an agenda for post-2015 development planning which seeks to “provide a fresh vision and framework, based on our common humanity” and “to achieve a pattern of development where dignity and human rights become a reality for all”. The report lists 12 illustrative goals and sets out a universal agenda to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 and deliver on the promise of sustainable development. Taking into consideration the report and the discussions that are being conducted, most importantly those by the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, the international community will finally define the post-2015 development agenda. III. The importance of education in the post-2015 development agenda 28. Human Rights Council resolution 23/4 on the right to education takes note of “international initiatives aimed at discussing and advancing the education agenda beyond 2015”, while underlining the importance of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and other ongoing consultation processes. The international forum on education and the Millennium Development Goals agenda __________________ 3 8/26 United Nations, A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies Through Sustainable Development. Report of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (New York, 2013). 13-42277