UNESCO’s biosphere reserves reverse the traditional conservation model by treating local communities as partners rather than obstacles. With more than 700 reserves in 142 countries, covering 7.5 million square kilometers, these “living laboratories” integrate biodiversity protection, scientific research, and sustainable livelihoods. Last week, 250 experts from 34 countries gathered in Paraguay for the Man and the Biosphere Programme’s International Coordinating Council. The host, Paraguay’s Itaipu Biosphere Reserve, protects the country’s largest remaining Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest corridor while supporting 250,000 residents. Through restoration efforts, nearly 4 million trees have been planted. The meeting also welcomed 14 new reserves, including the first in Montenegro and Timor-Leste.

UNESCO is urging governments to prioritize early childhood education, warning that millions of children risk falling behind before they even begin primary school. Experts say the years from birth to age five are critical for brain development, learning, and long-term well-being, yet early education remains underfunded and overlooked in many countries. With less than five years left to meet global education goals for 2030, UNESCO says urgent investment in teachers, access, and quality pre-primary education is needed to prevent deepening inequality and learning gaps worldwide.

A silent revolution has filled lecture halls worldwide—but not everyone has a seat at the table. Global higher education enrolment has more than doubled in two decades, rising from about 100 million students in 2000 to 269 million in 2024, reflecting surging demand and expanding access. Women now outnumber men in higher education but lag behind at doctoral level, and international student mobility has tripled, though it still involves only a small share of learners. Yet this rapid growth masks deep inequalities: participation ranges from around 80% in Western Europe and North America to just 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. Completion rates fall behind enrolment gains, and many countries lack free public education. A new report from UNESCO urges stronger investment and inclusive policies.

The Village Vanguard is the oldest jazz club in New York City, founded by Max Gordon in 1935. The club worked as a platform to present all kinds of cultural and political events and became primarily a jazz music venue in 1957. Since then, the club has hosted many renowned jazz musicians from around the world, including Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Thelonious Monk. UN News and UN Video interviews the current owner of the club, Deborah Gordon and three-time Grammy Award-winning American jazz pianist Sullivan Joseph Fortner for the International Jazz Day on 30 April. The Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011 to celebrate the power of jazz as a force for peace, dialogue and mutual understanding.

In “Nab’d AlUla,” women artisans in AlUla pass on heritage through Sadu weaving and stone engraving, blending tradition and innovation while empowering future generations to preserve the region’s cultural legacy.

Across more than 2,260 UNESCO-designated sites worldwide, communities and ecosystems remain deeply interconnected, offering powerful lessons for protecting biodiversity, sustaining livelihoods, and confronting climate change.

The number of children and young people out of school has risen for the seventh consecutive year, up to 273 million, driven by population growth, crises, and shrinking budgets. This is the main finding of UNESCO’s 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, the world’s reference on the state of education. One in six children of school age worldwide are excluded from education, and only two in three students complete secondary school. Yet, many countries are making significant progress.

Across Africa, women innovators are reshaping the future of technology, not only by building businesses, but by designing solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges - from water management to digital rights. With support from UNESCO’s African Women in Tech and AI initiative, they are turning ideas into impact, breaking barriers and shaping a more inclusive digital future. As International Women’s Day highlights the importance of rights, justice and action, stories like these remind us that equality in innovation must be sustained year-round.

In 2025, UNESCO awarded its inaugural Global Citizenship Education Prize to initiatives in Tanzania and Ecuador, recognizing outstanding global education impact.

Through ecotourism and photography, José Pérez reveals Cuba’s hidden biodiversity, connecting visitors with communities and conservation while transforming images into powerful bridges between science, emotion and protection.

Jean‑Michel Jarre narrates how AI is transforming creation and connection, and UNESCO promotes ethical frameworks to ensure technology enhances, not replaces, human creativity.

After Hurricane Melissa disrupted education for over half a million students in eastern Cuba, the “Rebuilding Hope” initiative was launched to restore learning, provide psychosocial support, and strengthen resilience in affected schools.

The Model Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan empowers media institutions to develop comprehensive strategies that ensure operational continuity during emergencies and strengthen community resilience.

UNESCO invites nominations for the 2026 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize, honoring up to three individuals or institutions advancing peace.
Deadline: 28 February 2026.

Decades after the Holocaust, antisemitism is rising in Europe and beyond, making education crucial for understanding violent pasts and preventing future atrocities. As Holocaust survivors dwindle, UNESCO is dedicated to advancing Holocaust education through its International Programme on Holocaust Education. Since 2015, it has reached 31 countries, developing teacher training resources and new curricula. Recently, UNESCO organized policy training at Auschwitz-Birkenau for senior policymakers. UNESCO also fights Holocaust denial through its partnership with the World Jewish Congress, providing factual resources, including the AboutHolocaust.org website, and has published guides to help educators counter denial while teaching about the genocide.