Malaysia Elected To UNESCO Executive Board For 2025-2029 Term

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has made history on the international stage after being elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the 2025-2029 term.

Education Minister and Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO president Fadhlina Sidek said Malaysia’s election was announced during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

She said the achievement represents global recognition of Malaysia’s leadership and contribution in advancing the international agenda on education, science and culture for inclusive and sustainable global development.

“On behalf of Malaysia, I extend my deepest appreciation to all UNESCO member states for their trust and confidence in our country,” she said in a statement today.

Fadhlina said the success was the result of collective efforts by the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO, the Education Ministry, the Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to UNESCO in Paris, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other strategic partners.

She said Malaysia’s election carries a responsibility of ensuring the voices of developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, continue to be heard and respected.

She added that the mandate also reflects Malaysia’s commitment to building a more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable future for the next generation.

“Through this new mandate, Malaysia will play a strategic role in shaping UNESCO’s direction for the next four years, in line with the Malaysia MADANI vision and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda,” she said.

Fadhlina reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to remain a strategic, proactive and constructive partner in UNESCO, advancing quality education, strengthening science and technology for sustainable development, and preserving the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) announced in a statement that Malaysia was elected as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board after obtaining 167 votes and winning one of the six seats allocated under Electoral Group IV.

According to Wisma Putra, this success marks Malaysia's seventh term on the UNESCO Executive Board since becoming a member state in 1958.

This success reflects the country's strong role and leadership in strengthening cooperation in education, science and culture, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and UNESCO's global priorities.

"Malaysia's membership also contributes to Malaysia's active role in UNESCO's two main subsidiary bodies, namely the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2022-2026) and the Intergovernmental Council for the Hydrological Programme (2023-2027)," said the statement.

The statement also said that Malaysia will continue to contribute actively throughout its membership on the Executive Board, and emphasised its ongoing commitment to work closely with the international community in strengthening multilateral cooperation, advancing knowledge, leveraging science and innovation for sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage for mutual benefit.

-- BERNAMA