UNESCO, the acronym for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based permanently in Paris, France. Its mandate for international cooperation can be traced back to a League of Nations resolution on 21 September 1921. However, after a period of study and debate, the UNESCO's Constitution was formally signed by 37 countries on 4 November 1946. This is the date its Constitution came into force.

The Constitution called for the promotion of international collaboration in education, science, and culture in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter.

As of January 2019, UNESCO has 193 member states and 11 associate members. Out of the 11 Directors-General since its inception, only two women have been elected. The current Director-General since 2017 is Ms Audrey Azulay, representing France.

UNESCO pursues its objectives through five major programs: education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture and communication/information. There have been proposals to establish two new UNESCO programs: the first proposed list will focus on movable cultural heritage such as artefacts, paintings, and biofacts. The second proposed list will focus on the world's living endangered species.

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