The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) today voted to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency.

Unesco’s General Conference, the agency’s highest ruling body, took the decision by a vote of 107 in favour to 14 against, with 52 abstentions, according to a news release.

The move brings the total number of Unesco member States to 195.

For its membership to take effect, Palestine must sign and ratify Unesco’s constitution, which is open for signature in the archives of the Government of the United Kingdom in London.

Admission to Unesco for States that are not members of the UN requires a recommendation by the agency’s Executive Board and a two-thirds majority vote in favour by the General Conference.

The General Conference, which consists of the representatives of the States that are members of the agency, meets every two years, and is attended by member States and associate members, together with observers for non-member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

It is tasked with setting the programmes and the budget of Unesco. It also elects the members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General.

The current 36th session of the General Conference began on 25 October and will run through 10 November.

Unesco’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

– UN News Centre