Editor’s Note:
The article is excerpted and adapted from Professor Zhang Minxuan’s book International organizations and educational development, pages 84-113.
UNESCO Headquartersin Paris
(Source:Ignacio Marin)
Constituitonal Organs of UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) operates through three constitutional organs: the General Conference, the Executive Board, and the Secretariat.
The General Conference, composed of representatives of UNESCO’s Member States, determines the policies and main lines of work of the Organization, and takes decisions on its programme and budget. It also elects the Members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General. It meets in ordinary session every two years.
The Executive Board consists of 58 Member States each with a four-year term of office. It prepares the agenda of the General Conference and examines the programme of work for UNESCO and corresponding budget estimates submitted to it by the Director-General. The Board also makes recommendations on the admission of new States that are not members of the United Nations and the appointment of the Director-General. It meets in regular sessions at least four times during a biennium, with an additional brief session held immediately after the General Conference.
The Secretariat, led by the Director-General and other key related institutions and groups, is responsible for managing the day-to-day management of the Organization and its global representation. As the chief executive, the Director-General ensures the effective implementation of decisions made by the General Conference and the Executive Board. The Secretariat comprises nearly 20 sectors and administrative units spanning education, the sciences, culture, and communication globally. The current Director-General is Khaled El-Enany, who assumed office in November 2025.
UNESCOOrganizational Structure
(Generated by NotebookLM)
FieldNetwork of UNESCO
UNESCO operates a global network of field offices, which serve as key platforms for programme delivery. These offices work closely with other UN agencies and international partners to facilitate cooperation at both regional and national levels.
UNESCO field offices promote mutual learning among education professionals, researchers, and practitioners, encouraging them to exchange and share research findings, policy experiences, and innovative teaching practices. They also promote humanity’s mutual understanding, lasting peace and sustainable development by strengthening partnerships among governments and international organizations.
The projects UNESCO carries out around (part of) the world
(Link:https://www.unesco.org/en/explore?hub=171411)
At present, UNESCO Member States have established more than 200 National Commissions worldwide. The National Commissions are responsible for the communication between UNESCO and its Member States and coordinating national participation in UNESCO’s programme.
National Commissions and Field Offices work in close coordination in areas such as policy dialogue, programme implementation and capacity building. At the national level, commissions are responsible for aligning the national policies vis-à-vis education, science and culture with UNESCO’s global agenda. At the regional level, Field Offices shoulder the execution of programmes and coordination across countries. Together, they enable UNESCO’s global agenda to be effectively converted into local actions.
Editor | XU Jianan
