UNESCO
The UN agency for education, science and culture, keeper of the World Heritage and Intangible Heritage lists.
What the paper can ask
- Formed 16 November 1945 at a London conference; constitution in force 4 November 1946; 194 member states.
- Director-General: Khaled El-Enany of Egypt. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Runs the World Heritage Convention (1972), the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention (2003), the Memory of the World programme (1992) and the Creative Cities Network.
- The United States announced in 2025 that it would withdraw again, effective December 2026. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask
Its headquarters city and its lists (sites, intangible heritage, creative cities) are asked every year.
The full story
UNESCO, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was formed in November 1945 and its constitution took effect in 1946. It promotes cooperation in education, the sciences, culture and communication among its 194 member states.
In the news
Test yourself
1.Kutiyattam, inscribed by UNESCO in 2008, is a form of:
Correct. Kutiyattam is Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List in 2008.
Not quite. Kutiyattam is Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List in 2008. It goes into your error book.
2.Ramman, a religious festival and ritual theatre inscribed by UNESCO in 2009, is from the Garhwal Himalayas of which state?
Correct. Ramman is a ritual theatre of Garhwal, in Uttarakhand, inscribed in 2009.
Not quite. Ramman is a ritual theatre of Garhwal, in Uttarakhand, inscribed in 2009. It goes into your error book.
3.Kalbelia folk songs and dances, inscribed by UNESCO in 2010, are from which state?
Correct. Kalbelia songs and dances of the snake-charming Kalbelia community of Rajasthan were inscribed in 2010.
Not quite. Kalbelia songs and dances of the snake-charming Kalbelia community of Rajasthan were inscribed in 2010. It goes into your error book.