Paris, 19 November 2021 (TDI): The Philippines was re-elected as one of the 58-member United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board.

It is re-elected for the 2021-2025 term during the ongoing 41st UNESCO General Conference. 165 UNESCO Member States who voted for the Philippines, during the General Conference.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

The UNESCO is an agency of the United Nations that focuses on promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, culture, the sciences, and the arts. Philippines joined UNESCO in 1946. The previous term of the Philippines as a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO commenced in 2017.

Executive Board of UNESCO

The Executive Board is one of three constitutional organs of UNESCO; with the General Conference and the Secretariat being the other. The General Conference elects the members of the executive board. The 58 member-states of the Executive Board each have a four-year term.

2021-2025 term of Philippines

During the 2021-2025 term, the Philippines will endeavor to address the burgeoning digital divide between the developing and least developing countries. It will create awareness with reference to climate change and natural disasters.

Furthermore, the Philippines will develop cooperation and synergies between UNESCO cultural conventions and promote the work of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. For Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, it will work with regard to ocean science, ocean-climate nexus, and biodiversity.

In addition to the above, it will make efforts to strengthen the Information for All Program (IFAP) which includes harvesting the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and supporting UNESCO global priorities on Africa.

It will also work for Small Island Developing States, gender equality, indigenous peoples, and youth; along with the promotion of effective and inclusive governance in the Organization.