Member states of UNESCO
Encyclopedia
, UNESCO
members include 194 member states and 8 associate members. Some members have additional National Organizing Committees (NOCs) for some of their dependent territories
. The associate members are non-independent states.
(4 May 1948) (16 October 1958) (15 October 1962) (20 October 1993) (11 March 1977) (15 July 1982) (15 September 1948) (9 June 1992) (4 November 1946) (13 August 1948) (3 June 1992) (23 April 1981) (18 January 1972) (27 October 1972) (24 October 1968) (12 May 1954) (29 November 1946) (10 May 1982) (18 October 1960) (13 April 1982) (13 November 1946) (2 June 1993) (16 January 1980) (4 November 1946) (17 March 2005) (17 May 1956) (14 November 1960) (16 November 1962) (3 July 1951) (11 November 1960) (4 November 1946) (15 February 1978) (11 November 1960) (19 December 1960) (7 July 1953) (4 November 1946)
(7 October 1991) (27 October 1947) (28 June 1993) (10 November 1960) (27 October 1964) (16 June 1958) (18 July 1980) (7 November 1960) (10 February 1965) (30 June 1995) (10 January 1962) (25 October 1968) (4 November 1946) (19 October 1999) (27 May 1992) (6 July 1949) (1 November 1962) (1 March 2007) (7 November 1956) (11 October 1976) (27 June 1949) (2 November 1978) (17 October 1996) (1 May 1953) (1 January 1947) (4 November 1946) (22 February 1952) (10 November 1960) (14 November 1960) (26 October 1993) (4 November 1946) (10 February 1972) (14 September 1949) (20 September 1999) (23 November 2011)On 31 October 2011, the UNESCO General Conference in Paris
admitted Palestine
as a UNESCO member state, with 107 votes in favour of admission and 14 votes against, with 52 abstentions (a two-thirds majority vote in favour by member states is required). The decision will officially take effect once Palestine ratifies UNESCO’s constitution. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/general_conference_admits_palestine_as_unesco_member_state/ (10 January 1950) (4 October 1976) (20 June 1955) (21 November 1946) (21 November 1946) (6 November 1946) (11 September 1974)Previously a Member State from 11 March 1965 to 31 December 1972. (27 January 1972) (27 July 1956) (21 April 1954) (7 November 1962) (26 October 1983) (6 March 1980) (14 January 1983) (3 April 1981) (12 November 1974) (22 January 1980) (4 November 1946) (10 November 1960) (20 December 2000)The former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(SFRY) became a Member State on 31 March 1950. The participation of Yugoslavia in meetings of governing bodies and conferences of UNESCO was suspended following Resolution 47/1 adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 22 September 1992, which stated that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) could not continue automatically the membership of the former SFRY. Accordingly, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which became a Member State on 20 December 2000, could not automatically succeed the former SFRY as a member of the Organization. Following the adoption of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro
by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
on 4 February 2003, the name of the State of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been changed to "Serbia and Montenegro". Further to the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro
on 3 June 2006, UNESCO has been informed that the membership of the State Union Serbia and Montenegro in UNESCO is continued by the Republic of Serbia on the basis of Article 60 of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro. (18 October 1976) (28 March 1962) (8 October 2007) (9 February 1993) (27 May 1992) (7 September 1993) (15 November 1960) (12 December 1994)Previously a Member State from 4 November 1946 (founding member) to 31 December 1956. (27 October 2011) (30 January 1953) (14 November 1949) (26 November 1956) (16 July 1976) (25 January 1978) (23 January 1950) (28 January 1949) (16 November 1946) (6 April 1993) (6 March 1962) (1 January 1949) (5 June 2003) (17 November 1960) (29 September 1980) (2 November 1962) (8 November 1956) (4 November 1946) (17 August 1993) (21 October 1991) (9 November 1962) (12 May 1954) (20 April 1972) (1 July 1997)Previously a Member State from 4 November 1946 (founding member) to 31 December 1985.
As of 2011, Liechtenstein
is not a member of UNESCO, but they have a NOC.
Under the new status, Curacao and St Maarten will enjoy internal self-government within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, joining Aruba, which gained similar status in 1986. Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba have become part of the Netherlands. The Netherlands retains responsibility for defence and foreign policy.
These changes constitute a modification of the internal constitutional relations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom will remain the subject of international law with which agreements are concluded. (12 October 2009) (25 October 1995) (15 October 2001)
Non-member States
Entities
Intergovernmental organizations
In addition there is a liaison office of the United Nations University
at UNESCO.
(PLO) has had observer status at UNESCO
since 1974. In acknowledgement of the proclamation
of the state of Palestine
in 1988, a group of 7 states submitted a request for its admission in 1989 but UNESCO's Executive Board repeatedly postponed deciding on this request. In September 2011, 24 states drafted a resolution asking for the request to be reconsidered in light of Palestine
's bid to acquire full membership at the United Nations
. The draft resolution was eventually passed on 5 October 2011, with 40 votes in favor amongst the 58 member states board.
On 31 October 2011, the resolution to admit Palestine as a full member state was passed at the 36th General Conference. Amongst the 194 members eligible for voting, 107 were in favour, 14 were against, 52 abstained and 12 were absent. The resolution will take effect when the state of Palestine signs the UNESCO charter which will make it UNESCO's 195th member state and the third that is not a member state of the United Nations.
In reaction, Israel
announced that it will "consider its further steps on ongoing cooperation with the organization". Furthermore, it approved the building of 2,000 new settlement
houses in East Jerusalem
and blocked the transfer of Palestinian tax revenue collected by Israeli customs. A senior Israeli official described these measures as "punishment", but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
later said: "We build in Jerusalem because it is our right and our obligation; not as punishment but as a basic right of our people," he added that the new settlements will be "in areas that in any future arrangement will remain in Israeli hands".
The United States
said that it will cut off funding ($80 million annually) for UNESCO in accordance with a 1990 law preventing it from providing financing to any UN agency that admits Palestine as a member state. Canada has also announced that it will cut voluntary contributions to UNESCO in light of this decision. Israel also froze its funding to UNESCO; in total 26% of UNESCO's budget has been cut. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the Palestinian efforts to join other United Nations' agencies were "not beneficial for Palestine and not beneficial for anybody." Ban warned that "millions and millions" of people could be affected if UN agencies see their funding cut as a result of the Palestinian bids. Israel suspended the transfer of taxes it collects on behalf of the PA.
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
members include 194 member states and 8 associate members. Some members have additional National Organizing Committees (NOCs) for some of their dependent territories
Dependent territory
A dependent territory, dependent area or dependency is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a State, and remains politically outside of the controlling state's integral area....
. The associate members are non-independent states.
Member States
UNESCO has 195 member states. This table has the date on which they became members:(4 May 1948) (16 October 1958) (15 October 1962) (20 October 1993) (11 March 1977) (15 July 1982) (15 September 1948) (9 June 1992) (4 November 1946) (13 August 1948) (3 June 1992) (23 April 1981) (18 January 1972) (27 October 1972) (24 October 1968) (12 May 1954) (29 November 1946) (10 May 1982) (18 October 1960) (13 April 1982) (13 November 1946) (2 June 1993) (16 January 1980) (4 November 1946) (17 March 2005) (17 May 1956) (14 November 1960) (16 November 1962) (3 July 1951) (11 November 1960) (4 November 1946) (15 February 1978) (11 November 1960) (19 December 1960) (7 July 1953) (4 November 1946)
-
- including separate NOC for
Hong Kong (31 October 1947) (22 March 1977) (24 October 1960) (25 October 1989) (19 May 1950) (27 October 1960) (1 June 1992) (29 August 1947) (6 February 1961) (22 February 1993) (25 November 1960) (4 November 1946) (31 August 1989) (9 January 1979) (4 November 1946) (22 January 1947) (4 November 1946) (28 April 1948) (29 November 1979) (2 September 1993) (14 October 1991) (1 July 1955) (14 July 1983) (10 October 1956) (4 November 1946) (16 November 1960) (1 August 1973) (7 October 1992) (11 July 1951) (11 April 1958) (4 November 1946) (17 February 1975) (2 January 1950) (2 February 1960) (1 November 1974) (21 March 1967) (18 November 1946) (16 December 1947) (14 September 1948) (8 June 1964) (4 November 1946) (27 May 1950) (6 September 1948) (21 October 1948) (3 October 1961) (16 September 1949) (27 January 1948) (7 November 1962) (2 July 1951) (14 June 1950) (22 May 1992) (7 April 1964) (24 October 1989) (18 October 1974) (14 June 1950) (18 November 1960) (2 June 1992) (9 July 1951) (14 October 1991) (4 November 1946) (29 September 1967) (6 March 1947) (27 June 1953)
- including separate NOC for
(7 October 1991) (27 October 1947) (28 June 1993) (10 November 1960) (27 October 1964) (16 June 1958) (18 July 1980) (7 November 1960) (10 February 1965) (30 June 1995) (10 January 1962) (25 October 1968) (4 November 1946) (19 October 1999) (27 May 1992) (6 July 1949) (1 November 1962) (1 March 2007) (7 November 1956) (11 October 1976) (27 June 1949) (2 November 1978) (17 October 1996) (1 May 1953) (1 January 1947) (4 November 1946) (22 February 1952) (10 November 1960) (14 November 1960) (26 October 1993) (4 November 1946) (10 February 1972) (14 September 1949) (20 September 1999) (23 November 2011)On 31 October 2011, the UNESCO General Conference in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
admitted Palestine
State of Palestine
Palestine , officially declared as the State of Palestine , is a state that was proclaimed in exile in Algiers on 15 November 1988, when the Palestine Liberation Organization's National Council adopted the unilateral Palestinian Declaration of Independence...
as a UNESCO member state, with 107 votes in favour of admission and 14 votes against, with 52 abstentions (a two-thirds majority vote in favour by member states is required). The decision will officially take effect once Palestine ratifies UNESCO’s constitution. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/general_conference_admits_palestine_as_unesco_member_state/ (10 January 1950) (4 October 1976) (20 June 1955) (21 November 1946) (21 November 1946) (6 November 1946) (11 September 1974)Previously a Member State from 11 March 1965 to 31 December 1972. (27 January 1972) (27 July 1956) (21 April 1954) (7 November 1962) (26 October 1983) (6 March 1980) (14 January 1983) (3 April 1981) (12 November 1974) (22 January 1980) (4 November 1946) (10 November 1960) (20 December 2000)The former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
(SFRY) became a Member State on 31 March 1950. The participation of Yugoslavia in meetings of governing bodies and conferences of UNESCO was suspended following Resolution 47/1 adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 22 September 1992, which stated that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) could not continue automatically the membership of the former SFRY. Accordingly, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which became a Member State on 20 December 2000, could not automatically succeed the former SFRY as a member of the Organization. Following the adoption of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro was a country in southeastern Europe, formed from two former republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia : Serbia and Montenegro. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was established in 1992 as a federation called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro
The Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro was the legislative body of Serbia and Montenegro. The parliament was unicameral and was made up of 126 deputies, of which 91 were from Serbia and 35 were from Montenegro. The parliament was established in 2003, and was a replacement for the Federal...
on 4 February 2003, the name of the State of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been changed to "Serbia and Montenegro". Further to the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro
Parliament of Montenegro
The Parliament of Montenegro is the unicameral legislature of Montenegro. The Parliament currently has 81 members, each elected for a four-year term. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Ranko Krivokapić, while the deputy speakers are Željko Šturanović and Rifat Rastoder...
on 3 June 2006, UNESCO has been informed that the membership of the State Union Serbia and Montenegro in UNESCO is continued by the Republic of Serbia on the basis of Article 60 of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro. (18 October 1976) (28 March 1962) (8 October 2007) (9 February 1993) (27 May 1992) (7 September 1993) (15 November 1960) (12 December 1994)Previously a Member State from 4 November 1946 (founding member) to 31 December 1956. (27 October 2011) (30 January 1953) (14 November 1949) (26 November 1956) (16 July 1976) (25 January 1978) (23 January 1950) (28 January 1949) (16 November 1946) (6 April 1993) (6 March 1962) (1 January 1949) (5 June 2003) (17 November 1960) (29 September 1980) (2 November 1962) (8 November 1956) (4 November 1946) (17 August 1993) (21 October 1991) (9 November 1962) (12 May 1954) (20 April 1972) (1 July 1997)Previously a Member State from 4 November 1946 (founding member) to 31 December 1985.
-
- including separate NOC for
Bermuda (1 October 2003)Previously a Member State from 4 November 1946 (founding member) to 31 December 1984. - including separate NOCs for:
Guam, 
American Samoa, 
Puerto Rico and 
United States Virgin Islands (8 November 1947) (26 October 1993) (10 February 1994) (25 November 1946) (6 July 1951) (2 April 1962) (9 November 1964) (22 September 1980)
- including separate NOC for
As of 2011, Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
is not a member of UNESCO, but they have a NOC.
Associate members
This is the list of the 8 associate members of UNESCO and the date on which they became associate members: (20 October 1987)(24 November 1983) (30 October 1999) The Netherlands Antilles became associate member of UNESCO on 26 October 1983. On Sunday 10 October 2010, a new status of the Netherlands Antilles came into effect, by which the Dutch Caribbean dependency of the Netherlands Antilles has ceased to exist with a change of the five islands' constitutional status.Under the new status, Curacao and St Maarten will enjoy internal self-government within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, joining Aruba, which gained similar status in 1986. Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba have become part of the Netherlands. The Netherlands retains responsibility for defence and foreign policy.
These changes constitute a modification of the internal constitutional relations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom will remain the subject of international law with which agreements are concluded. (12 October 2009) (25 October 1995) (15 October 2001)
Observers
There are 2 Permanent Observers and 10 intergovernmental organizations with Permanent Observer Missions to UNESCO.Non-member States
Entities
Intergovernmental organizations
- African UnionAfrican UnionThe African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
- Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific OrganizationArab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific OrganizationThe Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization is a Tunis-based institution of the Arab League, established in accordance with article 3 of the Arab Cultural Unity Charter by an announcement made in Cairo, Egypt, on 25 July 1970...
- Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
- European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
- Inter-American Development BankInter-American Development BankThe Inter-American Development Bank is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean...
- Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationIslamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationIslamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was established by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in May 1979. ISESCO is one of the largest international Islamic organizations and specializes in the fields of education, science, and culture...
- Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences
- Latin UnionLatin UnionThe Latin Union is an international organization of nations that use Romance languages, with the aim of protecting, projecting, and promoting the common cultural heritage and unifying identities of the Latin, and Latin-influenced, world. It was created in 1954 in Madrid, Spain, and has existed as a...
- League of Arab States
- Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture
In addition there is a liaison office of the United Nations University
United Nations University
The United Nations University is an academic arm of the United Nations established in 1973, which serves purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The UNU undertakes research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of...
at UNESCO.
Admission of Palestine
The Palestine Liberation OrganizationPalestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
(PLO) has had observer status at UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
since 1974. In acknowledgement of the proclamation
Palestinian Declaration of Independence
The Palestinian Declaration of Independence is a statement written by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and proclaimed by Yasser Arafat on 15 November 1988. It had previously been adopted by the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization , by a vote...
of the state of Palestine
State of Palestine
Palestine , officially declared as the State of Palestine , is a state that was proclaimed in exile in Algiers on 15 November 1988, when the Palestine Liberation Organization's National Council adopted the unilateral Palestinian Declaration of Independence...
in 1988, a group of 7 states submitted a request for its admission in 1989 but UNESCO's Executive Board repeatedly postponed deciding on this request. In September 2011, 24 states drafted a resolution asking for the request to be reconsidered in light of Palestine
State of Palestine
Palestine , officially declared as the State of Palestine , is a state that was proclaimed in exile in Algiers on 15 November 1988, when the Palestine Liberation Organization's National Council adopted the unilateral Palestinian Declaration of Independence...
's bid to acquire full membership at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. The draft resolution was eventually passed on 5 October 2011, with 40 votes in favor amongst the 58 member states board.
On 31 October 2011, the resolution to admit Palestine as a full member state was passed at the 36th General Conference. Amongst the 194 members eligible for voting, 107 were in favour, 14 were against, 52 abstained and 12 were absent. The resolution will take effect when the state of Palestine signs the UNESCO charter which will make it UNESCO's 195th member state and the third that is not a member state of the United Nations.
In reaction, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
announced that it will "consider its further steps on ongoing cooperation with the organization". Furthermore, it approved the building of 2,000 new settlement
Israeli settlement
An Israeli settlement is a Jewish civilian community built on land that was captured by Israel from Jordan, Egypt, and Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and is considered occupied territory by the international community. Such settlements currently exist in the West Bank...
houses in East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem or Eastern Jerusalem refer to the parts of Jerusalem captured and annexed by Jordan in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and then captured and annexed by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War...
and blocked the transfer of Palestinian tax revenue collected by Israeli customs. A senior Israeli official described these measures as "punishment", but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is the current Prime Minister of Israel. He serves also as the Chairman of the Likud Party, as a Knesset member, as the Health Minister of Israel, as the Pensioner Affairs Minister of Israel and as the Economic Strategy Minister of Israel.Netanyahu is the first and, to...
later said: "We build in Jerusalem because it is our right and our obligation; not as punishment but as a basic right of our people," he added that the new settlements will be "in areas that in any future arrangement will remain in Israeli hands".
The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
said that it will cut off funding ($80 million annually) for UNESCO in accordance with a 1990 law preventing it from providing financing to any UN agency that admits Palestine as a member state. Canada has also announced that it will cut voluntary contributions to UNESCO in light of this decision. Israel also froze its funding to UNESCO; in total 26% of UNESCO's budget has been cut. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the Palestinian efforts to join other United Nations' agencies were "not beneficial for Palestine and not beneficial for anybody." Ban warned that "millions and millions" of people could be affected if UN agencies see their funding cut as a result of the Palestinian bids. Israel suspended the transfer of taxes it collects on behalf of the PA.