India has won re-election to the executive board of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for the term of 2021-2025 at the UNESCO's 41st General Conference held in Paris, France on November 17, 2021.

With 164 votes, India was elected to the UNESCO’s highest executive body along with China, Japan, Viet Nam, the Philippines, and Cook Islands that represent Group IV of Asian and Pacific States

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 of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO (the others being the General Conference and the Secretariat). The Executive Board 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.

About 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.