The third edition of the 'Global inventory of regional and national qualifications frameworks' is published at a time when political attention to national and regional qualifications frameworks is increasing. The 2017 inventory shows that countries around the globe are reforming their national qualification systems to improve the readability, quality and relevance of qualifications. Learning-outcomes-based national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) are playing an increasingly important role in these reforms. The thematic chapters are structured around the three strands related to the purposes and impact of frameworks, the role of frameworks as catalysts for lifelong learning, and the role of frameworks in promoting international and global communication and cooperation.

The inventory provides a broad overview of the status and scope of qualifications frameworks internationally as of the end of 2014. This volume provides a thematic analysis of the various country cases.

This second volume of the "Global Inventory of Regional and National Qualifications Frameworks" focuses on national and regional cases of national qualifications frameworks for eighty- six countries from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan and seven regional qualifications frameworks. Each country profile provides a thorough review of the main policy objectives, stakeholder involvement, validation of non-formal and informal learning, links to NQFs and important lessons and future plans. [Individual country sections contain a list of abbreviations and references.].