Niger joined UNESCO on 10 November 1960 and is covered by the Cluster Office in Bamako (Mali).
The Director-General’s visit in November 2004 highlighted cooperation benefiting Benin’s educational system, notably teacher training. The 2005 project "Strengthening of technical capacities at the education ministry of Niger" helped authorities formulate policy.
With two natural sites listed as World Heritage, Niger also focuses on preserving its languages and other cultural expressions. It has signed UNESCO’s conventions on safeguarding cultural diversity and intangible heritage.
Niger is involved in the projects "The Sahara of Cultures and People" and "Tourism, Culture and Development in West Africa". Both are designed to develop cultural potential.