India gets re-elected to UNESCO Executive Board

On November 17, 2021, India was re-elected to the executive board of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for the term of 2021-2025.

Key Points

• India was re-elected with 164 votes.
• Among Group IV Asian & Pacific States, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Cook Islands and China were also elected.

UNESCO Executive Board

UNESCO Executive Board is one among the three constitutional organs of the UN agency. It is elected by the General Conference. The board acts under the authority of General Conference. It examines the programme of work for organisation and corresponding budget estimates, which is submitted by Director-General. The board comprises of 58 member-states, each having a four-year term of office.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is a specialised agency of United Nations (UN). It aims to promote world peace & security through international cooperation in education, science, arts, and culture. It comprises of 193 member states and 11 associate members besides partners in intergovernmental, non-governmental, and private sector. The agency is headquartered at World Heritage Centre in Paris, France. Apart from that, it has 53 regional field offices and 199 national commissions which facilitate its global mandate.

History of UNESCO

UNESCO was founded in 1945 by succeeding the League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. Its constitution establishes the goals, operating framework and governing structure of the agency.

UNESCO’s Program

UNESCO works across five major program areas namely, education, social or human sciences, natural sciences, culture and communication or information. It sponsors projects to improve literacy, protect independent media, provide technical training & education, and promote cultural diversity.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2021