The UNESCO Office in Kathmandu was established in 1998. Over the last thirteen years, the Office has grown into an established programme and advocacy agency in all of UNESCO's fields of competence, namely education, sciences, culture, communication and information.

As the profile of the Office has grown, its ability to assist the Government of Nepal in strategy and policy development has increased and contacts have been developed into effective working partnerships. The UNESCO Office in Kathmandu has access to a wide network of regional and international expertise of technical and advisory bodies in South and South-East Asia.

The Office works mostly in an upstream manner, focusing on selected target areas and population groups. The Office implements UNESCO’s main functions across Nepal, such as: a laboratory of ideas; a standard-setter; a clearing house; a capacity builder in Member States in UNESCO fields of competence; and as a catalyst for international cooperation.