General Conference
The General Conference is composed of representatives of the Member States of UNESCO. It is held every two years and is attended by Member States and Associate Members, together with observers from non-member States, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Each country has one vote, regardless of its size or its contribution to the Organisation’s budget.
The General Conference determines the policies and the main lines of action of the Organisation. It is responsible for adopting UNESCO’s programmes and budget. It also elects the members of the Executive Board and appoints the Director-General every four years. The working languages of the General Conference are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Executive Board
The Executive Board is responsible for ensuring the overall management of UNESCO. It prepares the agenda for the General Conference and oversees the proper implementation of its decisions. The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Board are derived principally from the Constitution, regulations and directives adopted by the General Conference.
Every two years, the General Conference assigns specific tasks to the Executive Board. Other duties and functions derive from agreements concluded between UNESCO and the United Nations, the specialised agencies of the United Nations, and other intergovernmental organisations.
The 58 members of the Executive Board are elected by the General Conference. The election of these representatives is based primarily on the diversity of the cultures they represent, as well as their geographical origin. Before achieving a balance among the different regions, skilful negotiations may be required to ensure that these regions reflect the universality of the Organisation. The Executive Board meets twice a year.
Secretariat
The Secretariat is the executive branch of the Organisation responsible for implementing the programmes, resolutions and decisions of its governing bodies, including the General Conference and the Executive Board. It operates under the direction of the Director-General of UNESCO and is composed of international staff with expertise in the fields of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information.
In addition to planning, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the Organisation’s activities, the Secretariat is responsible for providing technical and administrative support for meetings, managing human and financial resources, preparing specialised reports, and developing cooperation with governments, National Commissions, international organisations and other UNESCO partners.
Through its regional, cluster and national offices in different parts of the world, the Secretariat follows up on and implements UNESCO’s programmes and missions at the global level.
Programme Sectors
These sectors are structured around the Organisation’s five main fields of activity: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. They coordinate the necessary arrangements for the advancement and implementation of UNESCO’s projects and programmes in specific thematic areas, in cooperation with National Commissions and regional and cluster offices.
Support Sectors
This area comprises the External Relations and Cooperation Sector and the Administrative Sector, which provide the necessary framework for the implementation of the activities of the Programme Sectors.
Service Sectors
These sectors, which encompass a number of units, include the Secretariats of the General Conference and the Executive Board, the Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs, the Ethics Office, the Bureau of Strategic Planning, and others.
National Commissions
Under Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution, Member States may take steps to establish National Commissions with the aim of involving their scientific, educational and cultural institutions in UNESCO’s programmes and activities. National Commissions serve as the link between countries and UNESCO in implementing approved projects and programmes and advancing international objectives and commitments concerning the implementation of Recommendations and Conventions. At present, 195 National Commissions operate in UNESCO Member States across different regions of the world.
Introduction to the Secretariat
Office of the President and Secretary-General
As the central hub for decision-making and coordination, this office plays a strategic role in directing and guiding the activities of the Commission. By organising and fostering synergy among the deputies and specialised departments, it provides the basis for organisational coherence and facilitates the coordinated and effective implementation of the Commission’s programmes.
The management of this office is directly under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran. The Secretary-General, while allocating assigned duties and responsibilities among the various departments, continuously oversees their proper implementation and, through a programme-oriented approach, formulates the strategies and operational policies required to advance the Commission’s current and future activities. In this way, the Office of the President and Secretary-General not only manages and directs affairs at the administrative level, but also, by assuming a guiding and leadership role, ensures the achievement of the Commission’s objectives at the national and international levels.
Specialised Sections
These sections are organised in accordance with UNESCO’s five main fields of activity: the Education Group, Natural Sciences Group, Social and Human Sciences Group, Culture Group, and Communication and Information Group. To advance UNESCO’s activities in the country, the Programme Sections have specialised National Committees whose members comprise leading experts in various fields of specialisation.
- Each specialised group or department of the Commission has specialised committees composed of representatives of relevant government institutions and organisations, as well as academics and experts. Communication between these committees and UNESCO and its affiliated institutions is conducted through the Secretariat of the National Commission.
- Members of the specialised committees are appointed for a two-year term upon the proposal of the Secretary-General and by decree of the Minister of Science, Research and Technology.
- The head of each specialised group or department of the Commission participates in the relevant specialised committees as the Secretary and representative of the National Commission, with voting rights.
- Each specialised committee develops its terms of reference and submits them to the Executive Council of the Commission for approval.
Support Section
This section comprises financial and administrative affairs, the Information Technology Unit, and procurement.
Service Section
This section comprises the Library and Documentation Centre, Publications, and Public Relations.