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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.

The historical Golestan Palace in Tehran, Iran, was damaged by an Israeli and US strike on March 2. Photo: via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Damage to Iran’s cultural and historical sites adds to costs of war

Since the US and Israeli strikes, Unesco is tracking damage to protected landmarks in Iran, as well as heritage sites in Lebanon and Israel.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:15PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

4 Mar 2026 - 9:24PMvideocam

Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

21 Feb 2026 - 3:00PM

India

Death penalty for Indian trio who raped Israeli tourist, killed man in Hampi

The men had attacked a group of five people – including two tourists – who were stargazing near a Unesco World Heritage site in Hampi.

17 Feb 2026 - 5:28PMvideocam

Hampi is known for its rocky hillocks and sprawling temple ruins. Photo: SCMP

United Nations

Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring

The UN’s financial strain is a chance to rethink its structure, cut inefficiencies and empower local work that delivers more impact.

15 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Trip Inspiration

From devil-mouth caves to deer-filled parks, these sites deserve more love

From ancient temples in Bali to royal tombs in Korea, Asia’s World Heritage sites reveal rich histories beyond the spotlight.

31 Jan 2026 - 11:00AM

Luxury Hotels

Review | Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang

Set in a heritage colonial building dating back to 1906, the hotel underwent a 4-year restoration to bring it up to contemporary standards of luxury.

5 Jan 2026 - 11:46AM

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

A Zhejiang pavilion takes top honours at the RIBA Asia Pacific Awards, alongside a Hong Kong finalist celebrating the beauty of impermanence.

19 Dec 2025 - 3:15PM

Food and Drinks

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

Italy’s culinary traditions have been recognised by the United Nations’ cultural agency as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:14AM

A dish of Italian spaghetti alla carbonara. Unesco added the rituals surrounding Italian food preparation and consumption to its list of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Photo: AFP

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

Mainland Chinese tourists flock to Sharp Island during the golden week holiday. Photo: Dickson Lee

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

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

Hong Kong environmental issues

Explainer | Hong Kong’s hottest Xiaoshu: what does it mean and how can you cope?

With the 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar heralding higher temperatures, the Post offers advice on how best to manage.

8 Jul 2025 - 10:45PM

Hong Kong experienced the hottest Xiaoshu on Tuesday. The 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar is usually and signifies the onset of summer. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

Damage to Iran’s cultural and historical sites adds to costs of war

Since the US and Israeli strikes, Unesco is tracking damage to protected landmarks in Iran, as well as heritage sites in Lebanon and Israel.

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Death penalty for Indian trio who raped Israeli tourist, killed man in Hampi

The men had attacked a group of five people – including two tourists – who were stargazing near a Unesco World Heritage site in Hampi.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring

The UN’s financial strain is a chance to rethink its structure, cut inefficiencies and empower local work that delivers more impact.

From devil-mouth caves to deer-filled parks, these sites deserve more love

From ancient temples in Bali to royal tombs in Korea, Asia’s World Heritage sites reveal rich histories beyond the spotlight.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Review | Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang

Set in a heritage colonial building dating back to 1906, the hotel underwent a 4-year restoration to bring it up to contemporary standards of luxury.

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.

Building on waves: a Chinese triumph in temporary architecture

A Zhejiang pavilion takes top honours at the RIBA Asia Pacific Awards, alongside a Hong Kong finalist celebrating the beauty of impermanence.

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

Italy’s culinary traditions have been recognised by the United Nations’ cultural agency as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explainer | Hong Kong’s hottest Xiaoshu: what does it mean and how can you cope?

With the 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar heralding higher temperatures, the Post offers advice on how best to manage.

Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring

Review | Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang