Snapshots (October 2026)
This month’s Snapshots highlights UNESCO’s commitment to working with and for the people who are building the future of education, placing teachers and learners at the centre of societies.
On World Teachers’ Day, UNESCO released new data showing the world needs 50 million additional teachers (one for every two teachers currently working) to ensure universal access to pre-primary, primary and secondary education by 2030. Innovative initiatives from Ethiopia, Indonesia and Türkiye have been awarded the 2026 UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for teacher development.
On the International Day of the Girl, UNESCO underlined the urgent need to invest in girls’ rights, showing that child marriage and early pregnancy continue to jeopardize progress in girls’ education. UNESCO launched the 2026 Global Education Monitoring Gender Report and recognized innovative initiatives through the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
Later this month, UNESCO will highlight the role of education in transforming lives and framing discussions on biodiversity, information integrity and peace. At both COP17 on Biological Diversity and COP31 on Climate Change, UNESCO will showcase how its programmes, including its pioneering eDNA expeditions, are fostering science education and biodiversity conservation. At the 4th Biennale of Luanda, UNESCO will explore how strengthened water governance can support cooperation across Africa. Global Media and Information Literacy Week will mobilize stakeholders worldwide to strengthen information literacy, while the 5th UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination will advance action towards more inclusive societies.
From Peru to Viet Nam, and across Namibia, UNESCO partnerships and integrated approaches are driving meaningful change. Explore, be inspired, and join us in advancing ideas that deliver lasting impact worldwide #ForThePeople.
UNESCO’s operations in emergencies
Working with partners
UNESCO unveils the ONE OCEAN installation during the UN General Assembly
At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, UNESCO showcased an immersive installation with SEA BEYOND, a Prada Group initiative. The installation was a highlight of the UNGA, showing how UNESCO’s programme is connecting people with the ocean and inspiring action at the highest level.
Sweden and UNESCO deepen their partnership to support culture, freedom of expression and access to information
Sweden has reinforced its partnership with UNESCO through SEK 225 million (US$ 22 million) in renewed, flexible funding. Sweden’s support has already helped over 30 countries bolster their cultural and creative sectors and enabled UNESCO to train 39,000 judicial actors on freedom of expression and journalists’ safety.
UNESCO and Norway strengthen their partnership through a new agreement to advance education, culture and freedom of expression
In the context of the Director General's first official visit to Norway, UNESCO signed a USD $55.7 million Programme and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with national authorities. The four-year agreement, which will be administered by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), covers three core sectors: Education ($34.7 million), Culture ($12.6 million), and Communication and Information ($8.4 million). It is another example of Norway's strong commitment to flexible funding, allowing UNESCO to respond dynamically to emerging needs.
UNESCO works with Member States on strengthening public sector expertise and reducing overreliance on external consultants
Funded through the EU’s Technical Support Instrument, the initiative enabled UNESCO to work with the governments of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Greece and Latvia to build in-house consulting capacities and publish the Blueprint for Government Consulting Reform, a practical framework that supports more effective use of external expertise.
UNESCO80
Check out new updates on the UNESCO80 platform, designed to track the implementation of the UNESCO80 Roadmap presented by the Director-General. UNESCO80 aims to strengthen the Organization’s effectiveness, enhance its impact and ensure that UNESCO is best positioned to deliver its mandate in a rapidly changing world.
Publication highlights
The 2026 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Gender Report
On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, UNESCO launched its 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Gender Report, highlighting progress towards gender equality in education.
The UNESCO Publications Catalogue 2026 is here!
Discover the Organization’s latest releases: flagship reports, studies, essays and illustrated books that shed light on the major challenges of our time. An invitation to explore the wealth and diversity of knowledge UNESCO has to offer.
Recent publications
Happening @UNESCO
This month, UNESCO hosted the MOST Forum on the future of public policy, gathered National Commissions during the 225th session of the Executive Board, and facilitated dozens of panel discussions, concerts and official visits.
Coming up:
- 2 November - International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
- 5-6 November - 10th edition of the UNESCO Equatorial Guinea Prize for Research and Life Sciences & Fellowship Programme for Young Women Scientists in Africa
- 9-20 November - COP31 - 2026 UN Climate Change Conference
- 16 November - 15th Edition of the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence
- 20 November - World Philosophy Day
- 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
- 30 November - 5 December - 21st session of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee
