Organizational structure (main bodies): General Conference, Executive Board, Secretariat, national commissions in member countries.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The General Conference is composed of representatives of UNESCO’s Member States. It meets every two years. It may also hold extraordinary sessions when necessary. Since the foundation of UNESCO, the General Conference has met 41 times in ordinary session and 5 times in extraordinary session. Its meetings are attended by its Member States and Associate Members, together with observers from non-member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Each country has one vote, regardless of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget. Its role is to determine UNESCO’s programmes and budget.
The General Conference determines the policies and the main lines of work of the Organization:
|
The Executive Board is the executive organ of UNESCO. It prepares the materials for the work of the General Conference and supervises the proper implementation of its decisions. The functions and competences of the Executive Board are primarily established by the Constitution of UNESCO, and the rules or guidelines for the work of the Board are further determined by the General Conference. Every two years, the General Conference assigns specific tasks to the Executive Board. Other functions of the Executive Board result from agreements concluded between UNESCO and the United Nations, the specialized agencies of the United Nations or other intergovernmental organizations. The Executive Board consists of 58 members elected by the General Conference. The selection of representatives to the Executive Board is based on a geographical and cultural key, the aim of which is to ensure the greatest possible diversity in its composition.
The Executive Board is one of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO and it is elected by the General Conference. Acting under the authority of the General Conference the Board examines the programme of work for the Organization and corresponding budget estimates submitted to it by the Director-General. It consists of 58 Member States each with a four-year term of office. The EX Board represents the General Conference, exercises the powers delegated to it, and deals with the questions with which it is entrusted:
|
The Secretariat, led by the Director-General and other key related institutions and groups, is responsible for managing the organization and representing it globally. As the chief executive, the Director-General ensures the effective implementation of decisions made by the General Conference and the Executive Board. They oversee the Secretariat’s staff, who carry out UNESCO’s international programs in key areas like education, science, culture, and communication.
Functioning as the administrative backbone of UNESCO, the Secretariat manages day-to-day operations, coordinates meetings, and supervises the execution of global projects. It transforms policy decisions into actionable programs, facilitates communication among member states, and ensures the efficient functioning of UNESCO’s field offices worldwide. Through these efforts, the Secretariat helps UNESCO advance its mission of fostering peace, education, and sustainable development globally.
|
UNESCO is the only UN Agency to have a global network of national cooperating bodies known as National Commissions for UNESCO. Acting as agencies of consultation, liaison and information, and mobilizing and coordinating partnerships with national partners, including the civil society, the National Commissions make also substantial contributions in the advancement of UNESCO’s objectives and in the implementation of its programme. National Commissions make part of the overall constitutional architecture of the Organization. Set up by their respective governments in accordance with the Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution, the National Commissions operate, on a permanent basis, for the purpose of associating their governmental and non-governmental bodies in education, sciences, culture and communication with the work of the Organization.
Presently, there are 199 National Commissions for UNESCO across the world. They constitute a truly global family with as an authoritative network of stakeholders, partners and experts and offer a comparative advantage to the Organization within the United Nations system. This network plays a significant role in the liaison with partners, the coordination of activities and the promotion of UNESCO’s visibility at the country level.
|
