Ukraine has been a member of UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - since May 12, 1954.
Ukraine's membership in UNESCO is strategically focused on promoting the expansion of international cooperation of scientific, educational and cultural institutions by ensuring their participation in the programme activities of the Organization.
The coordination of cooperation of national institutions with UNESCO is entrusted to the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO - an interdepartmental body under the auspies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to UNESCO has been operating at the Organization's headquarters in Paris, France, since December 1962.
Permanent Delegate of Ukraine to UNESCO - H. E. Mr Oleg Shamshur, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to France.
The purpose of Ukraine's cooperation with UNESCO is to strengthen the country's intellectual potential and involve it into global humanitarian processes, as well as to use the capabilities and resources of Organization and international experience in UNESCO's fields of competence in the national interests.
One of the important aspects that determines the activity of Ukraine and its role in the activities of UNESCO is its participation in the governing and programme bodies of UNESCO.
During the period of membership in UNESCO, Ukraine was elected four times to the governing body of the Organization - the Executive Board: in 1981 - 1985, 1995 - 1999, 2001 - 2005 and 2013 - 2017. The Executive Board ensures the overall management of UNESCO. It prepares the work of the General Conference and sees that its decisions are properly carried out. The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Board are derived primarily from the Constitution and from rules or directives laid down by the General Conference.
Ukraine's contribution to the UNESCO budget in 2022 is 192 473 USD. Ukraine is not in arrears of contributions to the budget of the Organization. In addition, our state regularly pays a mandatory contribution to the UNESCO World Heritage Fund, which in 2022 is 1,925 USD.