Delegation Affiliations
Participating actively in several of UNESCO’s organs and committees, the Delegation effectively engages with and applies UNESCO’s mandate, whether by promoting and protecting Saudi cultural heritage or by representing the Kingdom as a major actor in global decision-making on a range of themes:
Executive Board [Member State, 2019 – 2023]
Elected in 2019 by UNESCO Member States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia became part of UNESCO’s Executive Board for four years. Composed of 58 Member States, the Board is in charge of examining the Organization’s work program on several important themes, from education to cultural heritage, science, tourism, and more, as well as their corresponding budget estimates.
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO [Member State, 2021 – 2023]
On June 22, 2021, during its 31st Assembly, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO welcomed Saudi Arabia to its Executive Council. The IOC is the United Nations body responsible for supporting global ocean science and services, striving to better understand and protect our oceans, coasts and marine ecosystems, and includes 150 Member States.
World Heritage Committee Member [Vice Chair, 2021 – 2023]
Saudi Arabia was elected Vice Chair of the World Heritage Committee for the Arab Group in 2021. The Committee responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. The Committee also has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Intergovernmental Committee [Member State, September 2020 – 2024]
In September 2020, Saudi Arabia joined the 20 other UNESCO Member States that enforce the 5 C’s (Credibility, Conservation, Capacity-building, Communication, and Communities) for the first time and for a period of 4 years. By providing guidance on best practices and making recommendations on safeguarding measures, the Committee that the Kingdom is part ofhelps the world move forward while cherishing its roots.
Task Force dedicated to the Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages [Vice Chair, 2022 – 2032]
The Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) sets up a solid pathway for ensuring indigenous peoples’ right to preserve, revitalize and promote their languages, and mainstreaming linguistic diversity and multilingualism aspects into the sustainable development efforts. By joining the Task Force, Saudi Arabia supports an international coordination mechanism to prepare, plan, implement and monitor activities in the framework of the upcoming International Decade.
On top of the Category 2 Center (RCQE, or the Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Riyadh):
We are also proud to have two UNESCO Chairs:
