Consider the following statements regarding UNESCO:
1. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes international collaboration through education, science, and culture.
2. It designates World Heritage Sites to preserve cultural and natural heritage.
3. Only member countries of the United Nations can become members of UNESCO.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 3 only

Question

Consider the following statements regarding UNESCO:
1. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes international collaboration through education, science, and culture.
2. It designates World Heritage Sites to preserve cultural and natural heritage.
3. Only member countries of the United Nations can become members of UNESCO.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 3 only

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Recently, the U.S. announced its decision to exit UNESCO, effective December 31, 2026.

Statement 1 is correct: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized UN agency aimed at promoting international collaboration in education, science, and culture to foster peace and security globally.

Statement 2 is correct: UNESCO administers the World Heritage Convention (1972), which identifies and protects sites of &ldquo;Outstanding Universal Value.&rdquo;
These sites can be:

	Cultural (e.g., Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu)
	Natural (e.g., Great Barrier Reef, Yellowstone)
	Mixed (e.g., Khangchendzonga National Park)

As of 2025, there are 1,248 World Heritage Sites across 170 countries, including cultural, natural, and mixed properties.

Statement 3 is not correct: Membership in UNESCO is not limited to United Nations member states. Some countries and territories that are not UN member states have UNESCO membership or associate membership. For example, Palestine is a member of UNESCO but not a UN member.

International Organizations

UNESCO

Website Link

Test Your Knowledge

Student Resources


E Question 1	⏱ 0
Consider the following statements regarding UNESCO: 1. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes international collaboration through education, science, and culture. 2. It designates World Heritage Sites to preserve cultural and natural heritage. 3. Only member countries of the United Nations can become members of UNESCO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 3 only

International Organizations

UNESCO

Demo Session!

Demo Session Fill out the form below and hit the Join Session button to proceed.

Are you genious?

Demo Session
Fill out the form below and hit the Join Session button to proceed.