UNESCO and China Renew Strategic Partnership
Beijing hosts the signing of a major multi-sectoral cooperation memorandum
June 30th, 2026
On May 13, 2026, in Beijing, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement officially renews the strategic partnership between the organization and the People’s Republic of China for the 2026–2029 period. The initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration across the core pillars of education, the sciences, culture, and communication.
The renewed partnership focuses on practical cooperation in diverse and modern sectors, including artificial intelligence, digital education, and basic scientific research. In the realm of education, the memorandum highlights STEM, teacher training, and vocational and higher education. Additionally, the agreement emphasizes the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of intercultural dialogue, aiming to foster global stability through shared knowledge.
Beyond intellectual cooperation, the parties signed a specific US$2 million agreement to support capacity-building for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. This financial commitment aligns with UNESCO’s global priorities, which include Africa, gender equality, youth, and Small Island Developing States. China also reiterated its support for the "UNESCO80" Roadmap, focusing on institutional reform and innovation.
The signing occurred during El-Enany’s official visit to China, where he held discussions with President Xi Jinping regarding UNESCO's broad mandate. Both parties agreed to revive a strategic dialogue to provide direction for joint initiatives and expanded partnerships with civil society, researchers, and local authorities. This dialogue is intended to guide future collaboration and provide a clear strategic framework for the coming years.
This forward-looking agreement serves as a pathway for deepened collaboration between China and UNESCO in support of international peace and sustainable development. By focusing on knowledge-sharing and the strengthening of UNESCO Category 2 Centres and Chairs in China, the partnership seeks to address complex global challenges through multilateral engagement.
