Uganda has been elected to the UN Scientific and Children's Organisation (Unesco) Executive Board during the 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The election gives Uganda a seat in the organisation’s key decision-making body on education, science, culture, and heritage.
The results of the vote were announced on November 7, 2025, during the Plenary Meeting at the General Conference.
Uganda secured its seat in Electoral Group V(a), receiving 162 votes, alongside Zimbabwe, Zambia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Equatorial Guinea.
The Executive Board is UNESCO’s governing body responsible for overseeing the execution of the organization’s programs and policies.
Membership allows countries to influence decisions on global education, science, culture, and heritage priorities.
Uganda’s election marks a significant step in strengthening its voice in international forums.
Welcoming the development, the Uganda Embassy in Paris said: “We are proud to announce that Uganda has been elected to the Unesco Executive Board during the 43rd Unesco General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
"This milestone underscores Uganda’s commitment to advancing education, science, culture & heritage on the global stage.”
Electoral Group V(a) is part of the African and Asia-Pacific regional bloc. The rotating seat within Group V alternates every four years between subgroups V(a) and V(b). At this 43rd session, the seat allocation returned to V(a) after being with V(b) during the previous session.
Other countries elected to the Executive Board from the different electoral groups include Luxembourg, Norway, Türkiye, Ukraine, Romania, Republic of Moldova, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Uruguay, Bolivia, Guyana, Malaysia, India, Kyrgyzstan, China, Thailand, Japan, Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt.
Analysts say Uganda’s position on the Board will provide opportunities to influence global initiatives, promote African priorities, and foster international partnerships in education, culture, and scientific development.
The 43rd Unesco General Conference runs from October 30 to November 13, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, bringing together representatives from all 193 Member States.
Uganda’s election to the Executive Board reflects its active engagement and growing role in multilateral cultural and educational diplomacy.