Modus operandi

Within UNESCO, decision-making is the preserve of the General Conference, where each member state has one vote. It meets every two years to decide on UNESCO’s basic policies, its programme and its budget. Decisions are usually taken by consensus or a simple majority, although a two-thirds majority is required for major decisions (budget issues, changes in the Constitution).
The General Conference elects the 58 members of the Executive Board which acts as its control and supervisory body, monitoring the implementation of the work programme adopted by the General Conference.

The Secretariat is the executive branch of the organisation, in charge of practical implementation of UNESCO’s programme. Since November 2009 it has been headed by Director General Irina Bokova. Its head quarter is in Paris/France, to which several field offices (regional offices and research institutions) are added in all parts of the world.

UNESCO cooperates with the other organisations of the United Nations, the governments of its member states and the national commissions for UNESCO. It also has contacts with more than 350 non-governmental organisations (

list of NGOs with offices in Austria) and over 25 foundations enjoying an advisory or associated status.