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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

The latest news and top stories on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. A prominent Paris, France based specialized agency of the United Nations, UNESCO is dedicated to promoting peace and security through international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. Its main areas of focus include advancing literacy, fostering scientific collaboration and preserving cultural heritage. The organisation is recognised for establishing World Heritage Sites, contributing to sustainable development and notably added the 24 Solar Terms system to its world intangible cultural heritage list.

Kaiping’s diaolou watchtowers are scattered across the flat countryside of China’s Guangdong province, and with many only accessible along farm tracks and quiet paths, a bicycle tour is the ideal way to see them. Photo: Bruce Foreman

Travel

On a tower trip: a bike tour around China’s Unesco-listed Kaiping watchtowers

Many of the ‘diaolou’ can be reached only by farm tracks and quiet paths, making cycling the ideal way to explore them.

8 Sep 2026 - 12:15PM

Chinese culture

The world’s only hieroglyphic script still in use today is found in China

14 Aug 2026 - 12:45PM

Afghanistan

2.4 million Afghan girls banned from schools 5 years after Taliban takeover: UN

12 Aug 2026 - 4:02PMvideocam

US-China relations

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

7 Aug 2026 - 11:07PMvideocam

Thailand

Thailand monastery added to Unesco heritage list, boosting tourism hopes

The Phra Mahathat monastery, the site has served as a regional Buddhist centre since its founding in the 8th century, according to Unesco.

27 Jul 2026 - 2:17AM

Japan

Unesco adds ancient Japanese capitals Asuka, Fujiwara to World Heritage list

With the addition, Japan now has 22 cultural and five natural World Heritage sites.

26 Jul 2026 - 1:15PM

Science

Pan Jianwei becomes first Chinese scientist to win top UN basic science prize

Father of quantum recognised for ‘seminal contributions to large-scale secure quantum communications and scalable quantum computation’.

13 Jul 2026 - 11:44PMvideocam

Chinese physicist Pan Jianwei has been named a recipient of the Unesco-Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences, an award commemorating the creator of the periodic table. Photo: Handout

Australia

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef avoids ‘in danger’ listing by Unesco

The agency’s draft report says Australia is working on addressing concerns over climate change, water quality and sustainable fisheries management.

4 Jul 2026 - 3:35PM

Malaysia

No more warnings for litterbugs as Malaysia’s Penang deploys bodycams

Duty officers are empowered to issue a notice to offenders, who could face a maximum fine of US$489 or up to 12 hours of community service.

2 Jul 2026 - 1:51PM

China-Japan relations

Rising seas: Japan makes pitch to Pacific nations caught in US-China rivalry

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi tells summit that Tokyo is committed to helping regional partners strengthen ‘autonomy and resilience’.

3 Jun 2026 - 3:00PM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (centre) poses with representatives from the region during the opening of the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China education

‘Natural’ choice: why Unesco’s new STEM education centre is based in Shanghai

China is working with the UN agency to help the world’s least developed countries advance technical education and grow their talent pools.

24 May 2026 - 9:00AM

President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the Unesco headquarters in Paris on March 27, 2014. Photo: AFP

Tourism

Video | Tourist banned from China Unesco site for shoving monkey

Authorities barred the visitor from Sichuan’s Emei Mountain for three years after he was filmed pushing a macaque.

12 May 2026 - 9:34PM

Food and Drinks

Is this soup being culturally appropriated? Dispute boils between 2 nations

Greece and Turkey are arguing over a traditional soup’s origins as one restaurateur attempts to register it as a dish of Greece with Unesco.

19 Apr 2026 - 5:15PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Stampede at historic fortress in Haiti kills 25 and injures dozens

Authorities in Haiti probe ‘severe overcrowding’ at Citadelle Laferriere following mountaintop crush.

13 Apr 2026 - 1:43PM

The shoes of victims of the deadly stampede. Photo: AP

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong can become global hub for autism support: Unesco official

Chief Executive John Lee highlights importance of better understanding and acceptance of autistic people at event marking World Autism Awareness Day.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:43PM

Brothers Jayden (left) and Hugo Pang perform at the event marking World Autism Awareness Day. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Art

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:22PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Damage to Iran’s cultural and historical sites adds to costs of war

Since the US and Israeli strikes, Unesco is tracking damage to protected landmarks in Iran, as well as heritage sites in Lebanon and Israel.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:15PM

The historical Golestan Palace in Tehran, Iran, was damaged by an Israeli and US strike on March 2. Photo: via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:24PMvideocam

Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

21 Feb 2026 - 3:00PM

India

Death penalty for Indian trio who raped Israeli tourist, killed man in Hampi

The men had attacked a group of five people – including two tourists – who were stargazing near a Unesco World Heritage site in Hampi.

17 Feb 2026 - 5:28PMvideocam

Hampi is known for its rocky hillocks and sprawling temple ruins. Photo: SCMP

United Nations

Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring

The UN’s financial strain is a chance to rethink its structure, cut inefficiencies and empower local work that delivers more impact.

15 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Internally displaced Palestinians walk among the ruins of the Al Tuffah neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City on February 11. The UN human rights office has maintained a presence in Gaza despite the challenges. Photo: EPA

Trip Inspiration

From devil-mouth caves to deer-filled parks, these sites deserve more love

From ancient temples in Bali to royal tombs in Korea, Asia’s World Heritage sites reveal rich histories beyond the spotlight.

31 Jan 2026 - 11:00AM

Luxury Hotels

Review | Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang

Set in a heritage colonial building dating back to 1906, the hotel underwent a 4-year restoration to bring it up to contemporary standards of luxury.

5 Jan 2026 - 11:46AM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Chingay parade dazzles George Town as Unesco bid gains steam

Once tied to Taoist deity processions, the parade has grown into one of Penang’s largest and most multicultural street festivals.

22 Dec 2025 - 6:32PM

Participants carry a pink dragon prop through the streets of George Town during the Chingay parade on Sunday. Photo: Ushar Daniele

Architecture and design

Building on waves: a Chinese triumph in temporary architecture

A Zhejiang pavilion takes top honours at the RIBA Asia Pacific Awards, alongside a Hong Kong finalist celebrating the beauty of impermanence.

19 Dec 2025 - 3:15PM

GN Architects’ Seaside Pavilion, on Chaishan island, Zhejiang province, clinched the Temporary Architecture prize in the 2025 RIBA Asia Pacific Awards. Photo: courtesy GN Architects

Food and Drinks

Unesco adds Italian cuisine and its rituals to world cultural heritage list

Italy’s culinary traditions have been recognised by the United Nations’ cultural agency as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:14AM

Tourism

Egypt’s Saint Catherine town is getting an overhaul. Not everyone is happy

A US$300 million project is under way to draw tourists to the biblical mountain town, but experts fear more harm is being done than good.

6 Dec 2025 - 12:15PM

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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

On a tower trip: a bike tour around China’s Unesco-listed Kaiping watchtowers

Many of the ‘diaolou’ can be reached only by farm tracks and quiet paths, making cycling the ideal way to explore them.

The world’s only hieroglyphic script still in use today is found in China

2.4 million Afghan girls banned from schools 5 years after Taliban takeover: UN

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

Thailand monastery added to Unesco heritage list, boosting tourism hopes

The Phra Mahathat monastery, the site has served as a regional Buddhist centre since its founding in the 8th century, according to Unesco.

Unesco adds ancient Japanese capitals Asuka, Fujiwara to World Heritage list

With the addition, Japan now has 22 cultural and five natural World Heritage sites.

Pan Jianwei becomes first Chinese scientist to win top UN basic science prize

Father of quantum recognised for ‘seminal contributions to large-scale secure quantum communications and scalable quantum computation’.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef avoids ‘in danger’ listing by Unesco

The agency’s draft report says Australia is working on addressing concerns over climate change, water quality and sustainable fisheries management.

No more warnings for litterbugs as Malaysia’s Penang deploys bodycams

Duty officers are empowered to issue a notice to offenders, who could face a maximum fine of US$489 or up to 12 hours of community service.

Rising seas: Japan makes pitch to Pacific nations caught in US-China rivalry

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi tells summit that Tokyo is committed to helping regional partners strengthen ‘autonomy and resilience’.

‘Natural’ choice: why Unesco’s new STEM education centre is based in Shanghai

China is working with the UN agency to help the world’s least developed countries advance technical education and grow their talent pools.

Video | Tourist banned from China Unesco site for shoving monkey

Authorities barred the visitor from Sichuan’s Emei Mountain for three years after he was filmed pushing a macaque.

Is this soup being culturally appropriated? Dispute boils between 2 nations

Greece and Turkey are arguing over a traditional soup’s origins as one restaurateur attempts to register it as a dish of Greece with Unesco.

Stampede at historic fortress in Haiti kills 25 and injures dozens

Authorities in Haiti probe ‘severe overcrowding’ at Citadelle Laferriere following mountaintop crush.

Hong Kong can become global hub for autism support: Unesco official

Chief Executive John Lee highlights importance of better understanding and acceptance of autistic people at event marking World Autism Awareness Day.

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

Damage to Iran’s cultural and historical sites adds to costs of war

Since the US and Israeli strikes, Unesco is tracking damage to protected landmarks in Iran, as well as heritage sites in Lebanon and Israel.

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Death penalty for Indian trio who raped Israeli tourist, killed man in Hampi

The men had attacked a group of five people – including two tourists – who were stargazing near a Unesco World Heritage site in Hampi.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring

The UN’s financial strain is a chance to rethink its structure, cut inefficiencies and empower local work that delivers more impact.

From devil-mouth caves to deer-filled parks, these sites deserve more love

From ancient temples in Bali to royal tombs in Korea, Asia’s World Heritage sites reveal rich histories beyond the spotlight.

Review | Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang

Set in a heritage colonial building dating back to 1906, the hotel underwent a 4-year restoration to bring it up to contemporary standards of luxury.

Malaysia’s Chingay parade dazzles George Town as Unesco bid gains steam

Once tied to Taoist deity processions, the parade has grown into one of Penang’s largest and most multicultural street festivals.

Building on waves: a Chinese triumph in temporary architecture

A Zhejiang pavilion takes top honours at the RIBA Asia Pacific Awards, alongside a Hong Kong finalist celebrating the beauty of impermanence.

Unesco adds Italian cuisine and its rituals to world cultural heritage list

Italy’s culinary traditions have been recognised by the United Nations’ cultural agency as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

Egypt’s Saint Catherine town is getting an overhaul. Not everyone is happy

A US$300 million project is under way to draw tourists to the biblical mountain town, but experts fear more harm is being done than good.

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring