05/05/2026
A milestone moment for dialogue between UNESCO and its NGO partners 🌐
On 29 April 2026, the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee had the honor of convening a first-of-its-kind online dialogue between the Director-General, Prof Khaled El-Enany Ezz, the Deputy Director-General, Åsa Regnér, and NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO.
This unprecedented exchange brought together NGO representatives from across the globe to reflect on how we can collectively shape a truly “UNESCO for the People.” During a dedicated 90-minute dialogue, 15 NGO representatives took the floor, sharing concrete insights, experiences, and forward-looking proposals. The richness and diversity of contributions demonstrated the strength of our network and its deep commitment to UNESCO’s mission.
Both the Director-General and the Deputy Director-General expressed their appreciation for this open and constructive exchange, confirming that this meeting is not only a first—but certainly not the last.
The dialogue was moderated by Julien Pellaux, Director of the Division for Partnerships, and attended by Sabina Colombo, Chief of the Unit for Civil Society Partnerships, whose continued support is instrumental in strengthening collaboration between UNESCO and civil society.
As highlighted in the opening remarks by Svetlomira Stoyanova, President of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, NGOs are not just partners—they are an integral part of UNESCO’s ecosystem. With a network of 435 organizations worldwide, NGOs bring expertise, grassroots engagement, and the ability to translate global priorities into tangible local impact.
Looking ahead, and with the upcoming 19th International Forum of NGOs fast approaching, we are committed to creating even more opportunities for NGOs to play an active and strategic role—particularly within the UNESCO 80 process. Strengthening how we recognize, structure, and amplify NGO contributions will be key to ensuring greater impact and more effective collaboration.
This dialogue marks an important step forward in reinforcing a partnership that is dynamic, evolving, and essential to achieving UNESCO’s vision.