The Arab Republic of Egypt is one of the founding members of UNESCO (since 4 November 1946). Opened in 1947, the UNESCO Office Cairo represents the Organization in the country and in Yemen.
Egypt maintains strong ties with UNESCO. Since its independence, the country has been involved in activities related to all of UNESCO’s fields of competence.
Culture has provided opportunities for particularly close collaboration. Egypt actively participated in preparing the International Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage. The Centre for Nubian Studies at the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo were created with UNESCO support. Reviving the famous Library of Alexandria, destroyed over 2000 years ago, as a focal point for culture, education and science represents another example.
In education, Egypt is a member of the E9 (most populous countries) and was one of the first states in the region to set up a national committee within the framework of Education for All (EFA). The Egyptian Education Ministry and UNESCO have thus been able to intensify their efforts to promote quality education.