The fourth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (G RALE 4) shows that raising participation in adult learning and education (ALE) is pivotal for achieving not only Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on education, but also the other goals of the 2030 Agenda, spanning issues from climate change to poverty reduction. This places an onus on countries to review ALE policies and progress in the light of evidence on participation, and to invest in sustainable provision that is accessible to all learners, throughout their lives and in all the different contexts in which adults learn.