SCIENCES AND INNOVATION
6-7 July, Palexpo, Geneva (Switzerland)
Global Dialogue on AI Governance
The first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance will include a high-level segment, thematic sessions and side events, including by UNESCO. The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence will also present its preliminary report during the event. Established by the UN General Assembly, the AI Dialogue is the United Nations platform where all governments, private sector, academia and civil society will convene to discuss international cooperation, share best practices and lessons learned, and facilitate open, transparent and inclusive discussions on artificial intelligence governance. It takes place back-to-back with the AI for Good Global Summit 2026, from 7 to 10 July, at the same venue.
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EDUCATION
10 July, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Transforming Education Summit + 4
This Summit marks a key midpoint between the launch of the initiative in 2022 and the 2030 deadline for the sustainable development goal 4 on Education. It will bring together leaders and partners to review progress to date and remaining gaps, at a time when education systems are under growing pressure from fiscal constraints, climate shocks, protracted crises and rapid technological change, including advances in artificial intelligence. On this occasion, UNESCO will publish new data on investments on education, and its guidelines on debt swap informing policy makers to convert debt into transformative investments in education. Expected participants include the President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina J. Mohammed, more than 25 Ministers of Education, as well as Ms Audrey Nuna - the singing voice for Mira in the film K-Pop Demon Hunters.
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EDUCATION
15 July
World Youth Skills Day
With the theme of “Skills for a Shared Future”, UNESCO will commemorate this day with the launch of a campaign highlighting the Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR) project. The BEAR project is a joint initiative between UNESCO and the Republic of Korea to strengthen technical and vocational education and training systems in Africa, with the third phase (2023-2027) being implemented in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
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SCIENCES
15-17 July, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Global conference on the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033)
Two years into the Decade, UNESCO will convene the first Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, bringing together leaders from government, academia, industry, civil society and Indigenous knowledge communities. The conference will see the launch of a campaign on the New Generation (of scientists) in collaboration with AXA, as well the publication of the first report on the Decade, taking stock of progress, spotlighting science-driven solutions and helping shape a resilient and inclusive post-2030 future. A report on the status of Open Science will also be presented at the occasion.
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CULTURE
20-29 July, Busan (Republic of Korea)
World Heritage Committee 48th session
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee will hold its 48th session in Busan (Republic of Korea) from July 20 to 29, 2026. It will examine, among other things, nominations for the inscription of 30 new sites on the World Heritage List, as well as the state of conservation of 148 sites already inscribed on the List. To date, the World Heritage Committee has inscribed 1,248 sites in 170 countries on the World Heritage List. Ahead of the Committee session, the World Heritage Young Professionals' Forum will take place, from 13 to 21 July. It will bring together 30 young professionals from around the world to engage in dialogue, learning and exchange on the role of communities, youth and education in strengthening the protection, management and transmission of World Heritage. The Committee meeting will be streamed online here, and journalists may join the WhatsApp group to keep updated on the progress of the proceedings in real time throughout the session. Click here to request access.
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OCEANS
23-24 July, Boa Vista Island (Cabo Verde)
The 5th Ocean Decade Conference
Under the theme “Blue Economy: Sustainable Pathways”, this milestone conference within the UN Decade of Ocean Science aims to reinforce ocean science as a basis for public policy, accelerate the development of the Blue Economy, strengthen international cooperation, and mobilise communities, youth, researchers, and diverse partners. It will cover six thematic areas: integrated maritime governance and policies; sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; blue tourism and the coastal economy; innovation, science, and technology for the blue economy; blue energy and ocean-based climate solutions; and blue finance and strategic partnerships.
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SCIENCES AND INNOVATION
17 July, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences
Established in 2021, the UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences aims to raise awareness of the importance of Basic sciences - chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology – for the development of societies. The Prize is awarded annually to two scientists in recognition of their breakthrough discoveries, outstanding innovations and avid promotion of the basic sciences which have led to socio-economic transformation at global or regional scale.
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EDUCATION
15 August
Five years since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan
This August 15 marks five years since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.Over 2.2 million girls have been banned from secondary and higher education, making Afghanistan the only country in the world where girls are legally barred from school beyond the primary level. UNESCO remains committed to supporting efforts for the unconditional restoration of Afghan girls' and women's right to education, while continuing to support alternative learning programmes that have already reached an estimated 17 million Afghans.
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COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
9 August
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
On the occasion of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, UNESCO will present the IBBY–UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages — a journey across more than 152 languages and countless cultures. Born from the shared conviction that every child has the right to read in their own language, this collection is both a celebration of linguistic diversity and a call to action.
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EDUCATION
8 - 11 September, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Digital Learning Week
Under the theme "Facts. Frictions. Frontiers. Education in the age of AI", Digital Learning Week 2026 will bring together Ministers and policy-makers, AI architects, students, teachers, and researchers to examine what counts as fact in an age of synthetic knowledge, how to navigate the frictions AI is generating across education systems, and what new frontiers are emerging, from public interest AI and digital sovereignty to analogue and community-led approaches. UNESCO is also expected to launch the publication of an AI competency framework for Higher Education.
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EDUCATION
8 September, Mexico
International Literacy Day
This year, International Literacy Day marks its 60th anniversary. The global celebration will be convened by UNESCO on 8-9 September 2026 in the State of Chiapas, Mexico, in collaboration with the Government of Mexico. The event will include the award ceremony of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, recognizing outstanding literacy programmes from around the world.
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EDUCATION
9 September
International Day to Protect Education from Attack
Attacks on educational institutions, students, and teachers are occurring at an alarming rate globally, particularly in contexts of armed conflict, depriving them of a crucial lifeline, knowledge and skills and hope for a better future. International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which will be commemorated this year in Doha, Qatar, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness and inspire action for the protection of education and the provision of support for students, teachers, and education communities in conflict zones.
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SCIENCES AND INNOVATION
11-17 September, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI
Organized in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) — a UNESCO Category 2 Center headquartered in Riyadh — the forum will bring together ministers, experts and international organizations to advance the implementation of ethical AI principles worldwide. A flagship UNESCO initiative launched in 2022 and previously hosted by Czechia, Slovenia and Thailand, the Global Forum serves as a key platform to advance the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence across all Member States of UNESCO.
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SCIENCES
17-23 September, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Exhibition on Africa and Its Diaspora: A Legacy for Humanity
Led by a historian and contributor of the General History of Africa, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Government of Angola, the exhibition will present images, maps, texts, iconography, artefacts, photographs, figures, bibliographies, and audiovisual and interactive materials.
With both aesthetic quality and historical depth, Visitors will be invited to moments of reflection, immersion and interaction. It will also align with UNESCO’s call for African governments to make greater use of the educational tools developed through the General History of Africa. In doing so, the exhibition will help promote a culture of peace and non-violence.
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MULTILATERALISM
26 September, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Visit of Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit UNESCO and address representatives of 194 Member States. It will be the first papal state visit to UNESCO since Pope John Paul the Second in 1980. The stop at UNESCO reflects key priorities of his pontificate: the promotion of human dignity through education, the use of new technologies, and the defense of culture as an instrument of peace — and will be a timely opportunity to focus global attention on international responses to the challenges of the AI revolution for younger generations.
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