UNESCO emblemNational emblem of Papua New Guinea
Cultural performers in traditional attire at a Papua New Guinea festival

Papua New Guinea National Commission for UNESCO

Education, Science,
Culture & Communication
for Papua New Guinea.

Localizing the global mandates of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — under the Ministry of Education.

Our mandateExplore the four programmes

Our Mandate

Building peace in the minds
of people — here at home.

The PNG National Commission for UNESCO is the bridge between the United Nations and Papua New Guinea. Operating under the Ministry of Education, we translate UNESCO's global mandates into national programmes that answer PNG's own priorities.

Through four programme sectors — Education, Natural & Social Sciences, Culture & Heritage, and Information & Communication — we work with schools, communities and government to safeguard what makes this nation unique.

  • Education
  • Natural & Social Sciences
  • Culture & Heritage
  • Information & Communication

Four programmes.
One mandate.

Chapters 01 — 04

01Programme

Education Programme

Localising UNESCO's global education agenda — quality, inclusive and lifelong learning for all — across PNG's twenty-two provinces.

  • Sustainable Development Goal 4 — quality education for all
  • Inclusive access for girls, rural learners and children with disabilities
  • Teacher professional development in remote provinces
Explore programme
Students in school uniforms engaged in a classroom lesson

02Programme

Natural & Social Sciences Programme

Building PNG's scientific capacity to understand, prepare for and mitigate climate, ocean and geological risk.

  • Disaster risk reduction and early warning
  • Climate adaptation for coastal and island communities
  • National research and innovation capacity
Explore programme
Powerful ocean waves under a dramatic overcast sky

03Programme

Culture & Heritage Programme

Safeguarding the living traditions, heritage sites and cultural knowledge of one of the most diverse nations on earth.

  • Intangible cultural heritage safeguarding
  • World Heritage site management
  • Community-led custodianship and documentation
Explore programme
Cultural performers in traditional attire at a Papua New Guinea festival

04Programme

Information & Communication Programme

Leading PNG's response to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, and strengthening documentary heritage and access to information.

  • IDIL 2022–2032 national coordination
  • Endangered language documentation
  • Documentary heritage preservation
Explore programme
Two men in traditional Papua New Guinea attire

800+

Living indigenous languages

04

UNESCO programme sectors

22

Provinces across PNG

1976

Member of UNESCO since

Latest from the Commission

12 May 2026

IDIL

National steering committee for the Decade of Indigenous Languages convenes in Port Moresby

28 Mar 2026

Natural Sciences

Coastal schools complete national tsunami and earthquake evacuation drill series

09 Feb 2026

Education

ASPnet welcomes new member schools from the Highlands region

Partner With Us

Work with the Commission to carry UNESCO's mission across PNG.

Postal address

P.O. Box 446
Waigani, NCD
Papua New Guinea

Telephone

70722365

Website

www.pngunesco.gov.pg