The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in 1945 and aims to achieve international collaboration in the fields of education, science and culture. UNESCO is a key contributor to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Currently responsible for the preservation of 1073 World Heritage sites in 167 countries, UNESCO’s founding vision includes protecting the past in hopes that it will benefit the future. Furthermore, UNESCO leads efforts to ensure quality education globally with their wide network of institutes.

UNESCO plays an active role in the European and Central Asian region through its support for preserving biodiverse landscapes, historical centers, and cultural heritage sites. The organization’s main role in the region is to support peace-building and reconciliation efforts while achieving its founding vision of strengthening and supporting civil society, human rights, and freedom of expression. Through its support, it has helped European and Central Asian states recover from political, demographic, and social disruptions that have affected education accessibility and quality. It has also worked with regional organizations and government institutions to strengthen the social and cultural integrity of the region.