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National Commissions are a unique body within the United Nations. The UNESCO Constitution of 1945 provides for their establishment by Member States. While National Commissions vary in size, structure and institutional status, they all have in common that they act as a link between UNESCO and the national government, and work closely with the country’s civil society and scientific communities. 

Cooperation between the National Commissions of different countries is manifold. For example, they often work together on nominations for new joint UNESCO Sites, or in organising events, implementing projects and producing publications. Several times a year, representatives of all National Commissions meet digitally and in person for a general global exchange.

Numerous representatives of UNESCO National Commissions gather for a group photo in the UNESCO plenary hall.
International Meeting of the National Commissions at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris 2023 | © UNESCO / Luis Abad-Banda

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Cooperation between the National Commissions has existed since the founding of UNESCO, but has intensified considerably in recent decades. The German Commission for UNESCO has traditionally maintained particularly close relations with the other European National Commissions. Cooperation with the other German-speaking National Commissions in Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland has been particularly intensive since the 1950s. The German Commission also cooperates regularly with National Commissions in all other regions of the world, especially in Africa. Close contacts exist, in particular, through a programme to strengthen biosphere reserves in Southern Africa, the kulturweit volunteer programme, an initiative to promote entrepreneurship among young people, a programme to develop foundations for innovative educational programmes at UNESCO sites, and numerous bilateral initiatives.

The German Commission for UNESCO is strongly committed to the exchange of knowledge and experience between the National Commissions. In this context, working visits and staff exchanges take place on a regular basis. In addition, the German Commission organises online events several times a year. In 2024, these included an event on the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and an event on the Recommendation on Open Science.

In order to further promote international cooperation between the National Commissions for UNESCO and to provide information about the various activities already underway, the German Commission for UNESCO published the brochure "International Cooperation between National Commissions for UNESCO" in 2023. 

Our International Cooperation

Teaser carousel
Flags in front of Unesco headquarters in Paris
© Unesco
Vertreterinnen und Vertreter der europäischen Nationalkommissionen stehen vor einer verglasten Fensterfront
© Iceland National Commission for UNESCO
Three people sit on a stage and speak in a panel. Behind them is a large screen with the title ‘Second Regional Meeting of African National Commissions’
© German Commission for UNESCO / Jeannine Hausmann
The photo shows part of the Magaleisberg Biosphere Reserve in South Africa. In the background are cloud-covered mountains. In front of them is a wooded hilly landscape. In the foreground you can see a giraffe sitting on the ground surrounded by bushes.
© BR Magaliesberg
Two students at a time sit around tables and work in pairs. They are bent over work materials and discussing.
© German Commission for UNESCO

STEP

Combating youth unemployment in Southern Africa

Blick in die Wüste mit einem Berg in der UNESCO-Welterbestätte Seen von Ounianga, Tschad. In der Mitte befindet sich eine Oase mit einem kleinen See.
© David Stanley
A woman wearing VR glasses sits in a meadow in front of a forest.
© Pexels/Tom Fiske

Publication on international cooperation between UNESCO National Commissions