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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.

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

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

Architecture and design

Building on waves: a Chinese triumph in temporary architecture

19 Dec 2025 - 3:15PM

Food and Drinks

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

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

Saint Catherine’s Monastery, in South Sinai, Egypt, pictured in September 2016. Hotels and other large building projects under construction in the Saint Catherine valley as part of Egypt’s “Great Transfiguration” tourism megaproject are sparking outrage among locals and heritage experts alike. Photo: AFP

Tourism

11 of the best Unesco World Heritage sites in the US to check out

The US boasts 26 Unesco World Heritage sites, some of which are globally famous, like the Grand Canyon, while others are less well known.

2 Dec 2025 - 12:45PM

United Nations

Language Matters | How multilingualism can help us work towards global peace and tolerance

Inclusion of and support for diverse languages are crucial for fulfilling goals of tolerance, peace, justice and building a future together.

26 Oct 2025 - 8:15AM

SCMP Highlights

Tourists throng Hong Kong park, China’s nuclear dilemma: 5 weekend reads

From origin of Venice’s winged lion to China’s issue with Saudi-Pakistan pact, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

6 Oct 2025 - 12:15PM

Some tourists on Sharp Island camped overnight and cooked during the National Day holiday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong steps up patrols after ‘golden week’ tourists overrun Sai Kung island

Sharp Island back to normal as patrols stepped up, additional manpower deployed to clean up litter.

5 Oct 2025 - 8:00PM

United Nations

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

30 Sep 2025 - 4:40AM

Fame and celebrity

Italian actress Claudia Cardinale dies aged 87

The actress, who starred next to leading men from Burt Lancaster to Henry Fonda, was the muse of Luchino Visconti and Federico Fellini.

24 Sep 2025 - 6:59AM

Italian actress Claudia Cardinale (right) and Italian film director Federico Fellini appear during an Academy Awards ceremony in Rome on May 27, 1964. Photo: AP Photo

Trending in China

Explainer | China White Trousers Yao allows men to carry guns, views rat meat as delicacy

Tribespeople hold motherhood in high regard, with women often taking the lead in romance, marriage, and daily life.

21 Sep 2025 - 6:00PM

The White Trousers Yao tribe, China’s last legally armed tribe, is known for its unique dress and customs, and men are allowed to carry guns for hunting. Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu/Douyin/gx.cri.cn

Good Schools Guide

Learning to eat well: Hong Kong schools are putting nutrition first

Schools are taking onboard Unesco guidelines emphasising the importance of providing healthy meals and teaching good eating habits.

18 Sep 2025 - 6:15AM

Chinese overseas

Why Chinese students are flocking to Southeast Asia for degrees, employment

With Europe and the US growing expensive, more Chinese students are opting for Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia for education and employment.

1 Sep 2025 - 11:10AMvideocam

United States

Opinion | As ‘world minus one’ cooperation grows, US withdrawal will backfire

World minus US likely to intensify cooperation and reform across the UN and other multilateral organisations, rather than leave like the US.

1 Aug 2025 - 5:18PMvideocam

President Donald Trump shouts as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27. Photo: AP

Artificial intelligence

My Take | China champions ‘inclusive AI’ to win the hearts and minds of developing world

Beijing’s policy is focused on more affordable systems, inclusive tech development efforts and a seat at the table of AI governance.

29 Jul 2025 - 7:00AM

A girl plays with a humanoid robot during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 28, 2025. Photo: AFP

Macau

On This Day | Macau landmarks added to Unesco World Heritage list in 2005 – from SCMP archive

On this day 20 years ago, Macanese landmarks like the Ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral and A-Ma Temple were recognised by Unesco for their historical significance.

15 Jul 2025 - 3:00PM