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 is one of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO (Austria was elected to the Executive Board by the 36 General Conference (2011) until 2015 ). Acting under the authority of the General Conference the Board examines the programme of work for the Organization and corresponding budget estimates submitted to it by the Director-General. 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 and over 25 foundations enjoying an advisory or associated status.