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Within the context of ongoing economic, social, cultural and political change, education and schooling systems must constantly adapt to meet the changing needs of societies. The interaction between teacher and learner is one of the most significant factors in the ability of education systems to fulfill this role. The quality of teacher development is therefore a crucial issue in maintaining the quality and relevance of education systems. The role of teachers is undergoing redefinition and teachers will need effective pre-service training, continuing opportunities for skill upgrading through professional development, increased professional status, and career and promotion opportunities, if they are to adequately adjust. The International Bureau of Education (IBE) commissioned the Asia-Pacific Centre of Educational Innovation for Development (ACEID) in Bangkok, Thailand, to prepare an Asia-Pacific regional paper for the International Conference on Education (ICE) in Geneva in 1996. The Conference theme was 'Strengthening the role of teachers in a changing world' and ACEID organised a regional conference and, based on its proceedings and responses to the 1995 IBE Survey, prepared this regional paper. The paper presents the main proposals for action by governments and educational decision makers within the Conference theme that emerged from the Asia-Pacific countries. The proposals relate to: a recognition of the changing world and the need to re-engineer education in response; the new professional profile of teachers; the status of teachers; pre-service and in-service training of teachers; new information technologies and the function of teachers; participation of teachers in the management of educational change; educational reform; special needs groups and social inclusivity; and the role of UNESCO.