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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.

GN Architects’ Seaside Pavilion, on Chaishan island, Zhejiang province, clinched the Temporary Architecture prize in the 2025 RIBA Asia Pacific Awards. Photo: courtesy GN Architects

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

12 Dec 2025 - 5:14AM

Tourism

Egypt’s Saint Catherine town is getting an overhaul. Not everyone is happy

6 Dec 2025 - 12:15PM

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

The Grand Canyon in Arizona was recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site in 1979, and is known for its breathtaking vistas and geological significance. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

Ensuring students have a balanced meal is important. Photo: Sodexo

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

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

Ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral in Macau. Photo: Getty Images