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Member States

The Organization has 193 Members* and 12 Associate Members.

The Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX) ensure liaison with Member States and with Associate Members.
Relations with Member States are also ensured by the Directors and Heads of the UNESCO Regional, Cluster and National Offices.

There are two definitions of regions at UNESCO:

  • Definition of regions with a view to the execution by the Organization of regional activities
    (see UNESCO Basic texts )
  • Groupings of Member States for the purpose of elections to the Executive Board
    (see UNESCO Basic texts )


Most Member States have established Permanent Delegations to UNESCO which, headed by Ambassadors, undertake liaison between the Organization and their governments.

All Member States have established a National Commission for UNESCO. The UNESCO National Commissions are national cooperating bodies set up by the Member States for the purpose of associating their governmental and non-governmental bodies with the work of the Organization.

Member States and Associate Members designate one or several Ministries responsible for relations with UNESCO and/or Ministries in UNESCO's fields of competence.

UNESCO emphasizes its efforts to involve nationally (Parliamentarians) and locally elected representatives (Cities and Local Authorities) in its action.

UNESCO’s General Conference voted on 9 November 2021 to admit Åland Islands as an Associate Member of UNESCO. Åland Islands's entry brought the number of UNESCO’s Associate Members to 12.

* On 29 December 2017, the Director-General of UNESCO received the official notification by the Israeli Government of Israel’s withdrawal from UNESCO, effective on 31 December 2018. After completing related procedures, the withdrawal of Israel and of the United States of America (see below) will bring the number of UNESCO’s Member States to 193. Read more

UNESCO’s General Conference voted on 30 October 2017 to admit New Caledonia as an Associate Member of UNESCO. New Caledonia's entry brought the number of UNESCO’s Associate Members to 11.

* On 12 October 2017, the United States of America announced their decision to withdraw from UNESCO.
After completing related procedures, the withdrawal of the United States of America will bring the number of UNESCO’s Member States to 194. Read more

UNESCO’s General Conference voted on 3 November 2015 to admit Montserrat as an Associate Member of UNESCO. Montserrat's entry brought the number of UNESCO’s Associate Members to 10.

UNESCO’s General Conference voted on 5 November 2013 to admit Anguilla as an Associate Member of UNESCO. Anguilla's entry brought the number of UNESCO’s Associate Members to 9.

 


© UNESCO/Dou Matar

UNESCO’s General Conference voted on 31st October 2011 to admit Palestine as a Member State of the Organization.

After completing procedures for the ratification UNESCO's Constitution on 23 November 2011, Palestine entry as a Member States brought the number of UNESCO’s Member States to 195.


© UNESCO/D. Bijeljac - South Sudan, 194th Member State of UNESCO

South Sudan has become UNESCO’s 194th Member State after completing procedures for the ratification UNESCO's Constitution on 27 October. The flag of South Sudan, now floats alongside those of UNESCO’s other 193 Member States.