As Assistant Director-General, Abdul Waheed Khan has led UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector since 2001.
In this capacity, Dr. Khan is responsible for advancing global standard setting, establishing international, regional and national policies, and coordinating the implementation of concrete projects for harnessing the power of communication and information for development.

He provides global leadership in the promotion of freedom of expression and press freedom, media independence and pluralism, as well as the development of communication and access to information and knowledge through media and ICTs.

His responsibilities also include fostering digital opportunities for social and economic inclusion, building alliances between public and private sector initiatives in communication and information, and mobilizing resources for enhancing the scope of the programmes of the Communication and Information Sector.

Dr. Khan, who coordinated UNESCO’s contribution to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) (Geneva 2003 and Tunis 2005), represents UNESCO at major international events and fora in the field of information and communication, such as the Steering Committee of the Global Alliance for ICT for Development (GAID) and the Executive Committee of Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP).

Abdul Waheed Khan

Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information and Director a.i., Information Society Division