The E-9 Initiative was launched by heads-of-state or government of Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan in 1993. 'E' stands for education and 9 for those nine countries which were pledged to universalize primary education and to significantly reduce illiteracy in their respective countries. These nine nations include half the population of the world; their progress would necessarily imply global progress in education and literacy.
Since then the Ministers of Education of the E-9 countries have met occasionally to review achievements in basic education, reconfirm their commitment, exchange experiences and define possible joint programs. The education of girls and women has been at the top of the E-9 agenda, as well as teacher training and literacy. These areas of basic education are strategically considered the most important for reducing population growth and enhancing development perspectives.
Read the Monterrey Declaration promulgated by the E-9 Ministers of Education in February 2006.