In the final days of a conference in Uzbekistan, Iran —whose candidacies had been submitted for several scientific and executive bodies— was elected by unanimous consensus of all member states to the Legal Committee, the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC), the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP), and the Intergovernmental Council of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST).
This achievement marks a major step forward for Iran’s international engagement, strengthening its role in global legal discussions, bioethical governance, cultural heritage protection, and social-policy development.
Iran’s membership in those councils and committees were the outcome of joint diplomatic efforts by the country’s National UNESCO Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran’s permanent delegation to UNESCO, and various national institutions.
The newly secured seats will place Iran in an enhanced position to contribute to and shape UNESCO’s work across key legal, ethical, cultural, and social domains.
UNESCO’s member states gathered for the 43rd session of the General Conference in Samarkand from October 30 to November 13, an event that shaped the Organization’s future priorities.
The session was marked by the official appointment of UNESCO’s next Director-General and the adoption of the first global Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology. The Conference also featured thematic debates, exhibitions, and side events that explored the future of education, science, culture, and information.