The 3rd international congress on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) was held in Shanghai in May 2012. More than 500 representatives from 117 countries attended the Congress, which looked at ways of transforming TVET to make it more responsive to the needs of 21st century societies. The Shanghai Consensus details the recommendations of the congress, based on the discussions held on the challenges faced by TVET systems. It comments on the appropriate responses aimed at building a better understanding of the contribution of TVET to sustainable development and at defining strategic directions for cooperation among countries and with the international community to support TVET for all. The Consensus makes recommendations within the framework of the overall efforts in favour of access, inclusion and equity, education for sustainable development and a culture of peace.