Deputy Minister Iryna Borovets was appointed the Head of the National Commission for UNESCO by Decree of the President of Ukraine dated May 15, 2024, No. 330.

The National Commission is a permanent interdepartmental body under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, created to ensure Ukraine’s participation in UNESCO activities, based on Ukraine’s international obligations as a UNESCO member. The National Commission was established in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated March 26, 1996.

According to the sectoral distribution, the sectors of the National Commission operate on the following issues: culture and cultural heritage, education, science, natural heritage, youth and sports, communication and digitalisation, equal opportunities.

Among the main areas of work of the National Commission are:

• coordination of activities of ministries, other central executive bodies, organisations and institutions related to their participation in UNESCO programs and commissions as well as to the international cooperation within UNESCO;
• expansion of multilateral and bilateral cooperation of Ukraine in the field of education, science, culture, sports as well as involvement of relevant specialised institutions of the country in the activities of UNESCO;
• establishment of comprehensive cooperation and mutually beneficial relations in the humanitarian sphere with national commissions for UNESCO of foreign countries and international non-governmental organisations cooperating with UNESCO;
• popularisation of UNESCO activities among the public of Ukraine.