Foundations
The National Commission for UNESCO, headed by the Minister of Science, Research and Technology, has three components according to its statute: the Supreme Council, the Executive Council, and the Secretariat.
- Supreme Council
The most important decision-making authority in Iran is the National Commission for UNESCO, whose main task is to explain policies and approve the general programs of the National Commission in the framework of UNESCO’s general programs and activities, comment on the provision of funds, approve the members of delegations to the General Conference, and provide opinions on the development of the activities of the National Commission and relevant institutions. The members of the Supreme Council are: the Ministers of Science, Research and Technology, Foreign Affairs, Culture and Islamic Guidance, Education, the Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO, the Head of the Environmental Protection Organization, the Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization, and seven scientific and cultural figures of the country. The Supreme Council is chaired by the Minister of Science, Research and Technology.
- Executive Council
It is the supervisory body for the implementation of programs approved by the Supreme Council, and its most important duties include: proposing the program and budget of the Commission to the Supreme Council, proposing and following up on the proposals of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the General Conference and other UNESCO forums, following up on the government’s opinions and proposals regarding the implementation of UNESCO’s decisions and recommendations in the country, and also providing necessary proposals to the government regarding how to participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of UNESCO’s programs and activities in the country. The Executive Council consists of: the Chairman of the UNESCO National Commission (Minister of Science, Research and Technology), the Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission, the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the plenipotentiary representatives of the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Minister of Education, the Iranian Broadcasting Organization, the Director General of International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Head of the Organization of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, and one scientific and cultural figure who is a member of the Supreme Council.
- Secretariat
The Secretariat of the National Commission for UNESCO is the body responsible for implementing UNESCO programs in the country and implementing the decisions of the Supreme Council in coordination with the Executive Council. The structure of the Secretariat of the National Commission is similar to that of the Central UNESCO Secretariat in Paris, which has program, support and service departments. The Secretariat of the National Commission for UNESCO-Iran, which is organizationally affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, is managed under the supervision of the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General is appointed from among the scientific and cultural figures of the country upon the proposal of the Minister of Science, Research and Technology and the approval of the Cabinet.
Duties of the Secretariat:
Preparing the Commission’s annual program and budget in consultation with the Executive Council, communicating with other national commissions, especially regional countries, to cooperate in implementing joint programs and studies related to UNESCO activities, establishing contacts with ministries, institutions and other government bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations and public institutions, supervising the implementation of UNESCO programs in the country and following them up, conducting studies and preparing plans tailored to the country’s needs in the fields of education, science, culture and communications in cooperation with specialized national committees, preparing, translating and publishing books and periodicals of UNESCO and other scientific, cultural and educational institutions, establishing regular communication with the Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UNESCO and compiling an annual report on the activities of the National Commission.
- Program sections
These departments, which are organized according to the five main fields of UNESCO’s activities, are: Education Department, Natural Sciences Department, Social and Human Sciences Department, Culture Department, and Communication and Information Department. The program departments for advancing UNESCO’s activities in the country have specialized national committees whose members are composed of the country’s elites in various specialized fields. The National Commission has national committees with real and legal members representing ministries, institutions, organizations, and associations related to UNESCO’s work issues.
- Support section
Includes finance and administration, information technology unit, and procurement.
- Service sector
This section includes the library and documentation center, publications, and public relations.
