This year marks the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, one of UNESCO's most successful programmes and one of the most powerful tools for heritage preservation. Almost universally adopted, with 188 signatory countries, the Convention is unique in that it combines the protection of cultural and natural heritage in one instrument. Since its adoption by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972, the World Heritage List has grown to include 936 sites inscribed for their outstanding universal value in 153 countries around the world.

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Coastal erosion is a major problem for Africa. In northwest Africa, the coasts are economically important since a large part of the gross domestic product (GDP) is derived from coastal activities such as fishing, tourism and commerce. This is one reason why populations are concentrated along the coastline, with a rate of urbanization slightly higher than the interiors. As a result, many capitals and major towns are coastal.

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An international conference on "measuring development will be organized at UNESCO Headquarters from 1 to 3 February 2012. Opened by Irina Bokova, UNESCO's Director-General, several workshop, two plenary sessions and a final round table will offer a unique occasion to question the relevance of indicators used in today’s world to measure economic performance and social progress.
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Director-General Irina Bokova welcomed the first civil society partner on board UNESCO’s Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Founder and Director of India’s Barefoot College, Mr Bunker Roy, on 26 January 2012.
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Óscar Washington Tabárez, the Uruguayan national football team manager, will be named UNESCO Champion for Sport by the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, during a ceremony at Organization Headquarters on 30 January (11 a.m., 7th floor). - More

During her first official visit to Finland from 19 to 20 January 2012, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova met with the President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen, as well as several government officials including Erkki Tuomioja, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heidi Hautala, Minister for International Development, Paavo Arhinmaki, Minister of Culture and Sport, Jukka Gustafsson, Minister of Education and Science and Jussi Pajunen, Mayor of the City of Helsinki. - More

Water and energy are critical for our society and will be increasingly important in the future. Climate change is forcing us to reassess our energy usage and it will have real and substantial impacts on the water cycle.
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In line with the previous ‘Water for all’ competition, with the support of the French Academy of sciences, the Initiatives Award recognizes projects and innovations contributing to increase access to water, sanitation and waste management services in developing countries.
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In line with the previous ‘Water for all’ competition, with the support of the French Academy of sciences, the Initiatives Award recognizes projects and innovations contributing to increase access to water, sanitation and waste management services in developing countries.
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The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today condemned the murder of media owner, editor and political organizer, Wisut Tangwitthayaporn, in Phuket on 12 January and called for an investigation into the killing.

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"Learning from the Best for a World of Change" is the theme of the Education World Forum taking place in London from 9 to 11 January 2012, at which UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova will give a keynote address and present the ICT Competency Framework for Teachers. Close to sixty education ministers are confirmed to participate in this annual global summit, which will examine where rapid progress is taking place in education and showcase effective education policies and strategies that are driving success.

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In January 2011, the UNESCO-IHP - together with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) and the World Bank - initiated a new project on "Groundwater Governance"
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As the 2015 deadline for the Education for All goals fast approaches – and the global economic crisis threatens to slow progress – here are the three things we most want to happen in 2012. They offer an agenda for the kind of change that is needed to give everyone in the world an opportunity for a decent education. - More

In a press conference hosted by the Thai Ministry of Culture’s Fine Arts Department on 22 December 2011, a team of 8 Japanese experts reported on their recent technical mission to Ayutthaya. - More

UNESCO recognized the outstanding restoration work of Na Phra Lan Historic Shophouses in Bangkok, Thailand with an award ceremony on Friday 23 December 2011at 5:00 p.m. at Laddawan Palace Building, Bangkok, Thailand. - More

The 2011 UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science has been awarded to eminent Mexican scientist René Raúl Drucker Colín. Professor Drucker Colín was selected by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on the recommendation of an international jury.

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Lady Amber deploys Argo floats in Indian Ocean - More

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