Paris, 24 April 2026 – The 224^th session of the UNESCO Executive Board was held from 8 to 23 April 2026 at the Organization’s headquarters in Paris, with active participation from the Kazakh delegation.

Speaking at the plenary session, the Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, Askar Abdrakhmanov, welcomed the UNESCO 80 reform process initiated by the Organization’s new Director-General, Professor Khaled El-Enany, as well as his active engagement with Member States, their National Commissions, and other entities within the UNESCO system, which form the backbone of the Organization’s outreach and ensure its impact locally. The diplomat also expressed gratitude to UNESCO for its support of the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana and for its patronage of the upcoming international symposium “The Golden Horde as a Model of Steppe Civilization: History, Archaeology, Culture, Identity.”

On the margins of the session, a traditional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO took place. In her remarks, the Secretary-General of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO, Zhanar Shaimenova, expressed support for the Organization’s renewed momentum and highlighted the importance of the efficient cooperation between the UNESCO Secretariat, National Commissions, and other affiliated institutions in advancing international cooperation in education, science, culture, communication, and information.

In this context, one of the key outcomes of the session was the adoption of a decision initiated by Kazakhstan entitled «Strengthening contribution of the Associations and Clubs for UNESCO to UNESCO’s programmes and global priorities». The decision was co-sponsored by 41 UNESCO Member States from all continents.

The adopted document aims to strengthen coordination efforts to systematically engage the global movement of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO in advancing the Organization’s strategic priorities. It also underlines the particular relevance of such efforts in light of the United Nations’ proclamation of 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.

The Executive Board decision also welcomed the outcomes of the Global Youth Forum of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO in Almaty, as well as the Movement’s Roadmap for actions until 2030. It should be noted that Kazakhstan holds the presidency of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs for the period 2023–2027.

Associations and Clubs for UNESCO, first established in 1947, represent one of the oldest and most extensive networks within the UNESCO ecosystem. This global movement brings together over 5,400 volunteer initiatives in 95 countries across all continents, focusing on youth creativity, gender equality, intercultural dialogue, inclusive education, environmental awareness, and sustainable development.

The Kazakhstan National Federation of Clubs for UNESCO was established in 2009 and currently unites 236 clubs across the country. More than 15,000 children, teenagers, and students participate annually in its projects.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-unesco/press/news/details/1208460?lang=kk