Updated: 1 September 2026
UNESCO: 194 Member States, Director-General, Organs and Functions
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
History and establishment of UNESCO
Representatives of governments met in London from 1 to 16 November 1945 to create a new organization for international cooperation in education and culture. UNESCO's Constitution was signed on 16 November 1945 and entered into force on 4 November 1946 after the twentieth ratification.
UNESCO's constitutional idea is that lasting peace cannot rest only on political and economic arrangements; it must also be supported by the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. This remains the foundation of UNESCO's work in education, science, culture and freedom of information.
Purpose and functions of UNESCO
Education
Supports the right to education, inclusive and equitable learning, literacy, teachers, lifelong learning, technical and vocational education, global citizenship and education for sustainable development.
Natural sciences
Promotes cooperation on ocean science, freshwater, biodiversity, geoscience, basic sciences, open science and science for sustainable development.
Social and human sciences
Works on ethics, inclusion, anti-discrimination, youth, sport, social transformation and the social dimensions of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.
Culture
Protects and promotes cultural and natural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, cultural diversity, museums, cultural property and creative sectors through international conventions and programmes.
Communication and information
Supports freedom of expression, safety of journalists, access to information, media development, digital inclusion and preservation of documentary heritage.
International standard-setting
Develops conventions, recommendations, declarations and other normative instruments adopted by Member States in UNESCO's fields of competence.
Three principal organs of UNESCO
| Organ | Current role |
|---|---|
| General Conference | Consists of representatives of Member States and meets in ordinary session every two years. It determines UNESCO's policies and main lines of work, adopts the programme and budget, elects Executive Board members and appoints the Director-General every four years. |
| Executive Board | Comprises 58 Member States elected by the General Conference. It prepares the work of the General Conference, examines implementation of the programme and budget and oversees the execution of decisions. |
| Secretariat | Headed by the Director-General, the Secretariat implements UNESCO's programme, services the governing bodies and manages headquarters and field operations. |
Current programme priorities
UNESCO's present programme covers education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture and communication and information, with cross-cutting priorities including Africa, gender equality, youth, small island developing States, digital transformation and sustainable development.
The 43rd General Conference approved programme directions for 2026-2029, including work on the right to education, lifelong learning, science and technology, culture, Indigenous knowledge, media and information literacy and strengthening the UNESCO Associated Schools Network.
World Heritage and intangible cultural heritage
UNESCO administers the 1972 World Heritage Convention, under which cultural and natural properties of outstanding universal value may be inscribed on the World Heritage List. The List changes as the World Heritage Committee adds, extends or occasionally delists properties, so live official records should be consulted for the current total.
UNESCO also administers the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2026 UNESCO reported that the Convention had reached 185 States Parties. The Convention supports safeguarding of living traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, knowledge and traditional craftsmanship.
UNESCO networks and cooperation
UNESCO works through National Commissions, field offices, category 1 and category 2 institutes and centres, academic networks, non-governmental partners and other institutions.
The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) links schools and teacher-training institutions around common themes such as peace, sustainable development, intercultural dialogue and global citizenship. The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, created in 1992, promotes international university cooperation, research, training and knowledge sharing.
UNESCO also supports global and regional early-warning and scientific cooperation systems, freedom of expression and journalist safety initiatives, documentary heritage through the Memory of the World Programme and intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
UNESCO membership
Membership is governed by Article II of the UNESCO Constitution. States that are members of the United Nations are entitled to membership in UNESCO, subject to the constitutional procedure. States that are not members of the United Nations may be admitted on the recommendation of the Executive Board by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Conference.
UNESCO's official governance information records 194 Member States as of 2026. Associate Member status is also available for territories or groups of territories that are not responsible for the conduct of their international relations, subject to the Constitution.
Official UNESCO sources
For authoritative current information refer to UNESCO, UNESCO Governance, General Conference, Executive Board, Director-General, World Heritage Centre and Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Note: membership, programme statistics, site counts and governing-body composition can change. This page reflects official UNESCO information available as of 1 September 2026.