The UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) was created by the UNESCO General Conference in 1997, replacing the Regional Center for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CRESALC for its Spanish abbreviation) established in 1974. It is the sole specialized institute of the United Nations system with the mission to contribute to the improvement of higher education in member States.

The core mission of the Institute is to contribute to the development of national higher education systems and institutions in member states, by ensuring their sustained relevance, quality, efficiency and equity and promoting regional and international cooperation and the participation of all actors involved.