10/16/2026
UNESCO is structured around three principal governing bodies: the General Conference, the Executive Board and the Secretariat. Together, these bodies determine UNESCO's policies, provide oversight and carry out the organization's programmes.
UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on education, science, culture and communication and information.
The General Conference is UNESCO's main decision-making body.
It consists of representatives of UNESCO Member States and normally meets every two years.
The General Conference determines UNESCO's main lines of work and adopts the organization's programme and budget.
It also elects members of the Executive Board and considers major policy questions.
An important feature of the General Conference is that UNESCO operates on the principle of one Member State, one vote, regardless of the size or population of the country.
The Executive Board is UNESCO's second key governing body.
It is composed of representatives from Member States elected by the General Conference.
The Executive Board is responsible for examining UNESCO's programme of work and budget and for ensuring that the organization operates in accordance with decisions made by the General Conference.
It meets more frequently than the General Conference and provides ongoing oversight between General Conference sessions.
The Secretariat carries out UNESCO's day-to-day work.
It is headed by the Director-General, who is elected by the General Conference for a four-year term.
The Secretariat includes UNESCO staff working at headquarters and in field offices around the world.
Its responsibilities include implementing programmes, conducting research and technical work, providing policy support and managing UNESCO's administrative activities.
The Director-General is the head of the Secretariat.
As of 2026, Khaled El-Enany serves as UNESCO Director-General.
The Director-General is different from the President of the General Conference and the Chairperson of the Executive Board. These positions have distinct responsibilities within UNESCO's governance structure.
UNESCO headquarters is located in Paris, France.
The organization also maintains field offices, institutes and other specialized structures in different parts of the world.
UNESCO's governance is based on its Constitution and the decisions of its Member States.
The General Conference establishes major policies and approves the programme and budget. The Executive Board provides oversight, while the Secretariat implements the agreed programme under the leadership of the Director-General.
The structure separates major functions:
General Conference → sets broad policy and approves the programme and budget
Executive Board → provides oversight and prepares/reviews work between conferences
Secretariat → implements programmes and manages day-to-day operations
This arrangement allows UNESCO's Member States to guide the organization while professional staff carry out its activities.
UNESCO has three principal governing bodies: the General Conference, Executive Board and Secretariat. The General Conference determines the organization's main lines of work, the Executive Board provides intergovernmental oversight and the Secretariat implements UNESCO's programmes under the Director-General.
UNESCO – Governance and Structure
UNESCO Constitution
UNESCO – General Conference
UNESCO Jobs
Unchannel - 10/16/2026