Scientific Category I institutes, which are an integral part of UNESCO, include the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, in Delft in the Netherlands and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste in Italy. Although operating with significant autonomy, the programmes of these institutes are an integral part of the UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector programme. These institutes build scientific capacity in Member States, essentially in developing countries.
As part of its mandate, the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) collects and disseminates science statistics across the United Nations system gathering data from more than 200 countries and territories through its biennial survey and partnerships with key organizations. Science statistics are used in particular to compile the UNESCO Science Report.
Category II institutes and centres are under the auspices of UNESCO but are not legally part of the Organization; they are associated with it through formal arrangements approved by the General Conference. They contribute to the execution of UNESCO’s programme through capacity building; the exchange of information in a particular discipline; theoretical and experimental research; and advanced training.