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22 March 2025 - World Water Day: Glacier Preservation

Save Our Glaciers. Glaciers are vital to the water cycle. Glaciers are melting faster than ever. Glacial retreat threatens devastation. Glacier preservation is a survival strategy.

Explore Our Sites

From expansive mountain ranges and stunning coastlines, to rural landscapes and vibrant cities, cultures and traditions, to natural and built heritage, UNESCO Designations are the manifestation of the UNESCO values.

UNESCO Sites in the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are destinations of world-class standard. They tell the story of the British Isles in an unparalleled way: its creation, formation, biodiversity, occupation, invasion, monarchy, religion, industry, culture, scientific invention and creativity. 

Each of the types of UNESCO designation - Biosphere Reserves, Creative Cities, Global Geoparks and World Heritage Sites – play a vital role in the future of our societies and planet. 

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About the UK National Commission for UNESCO

An independent body, the National Commission is a constitutional part of the UK's membership of UNESCO. We are the central hub for all UNESCO-related matters in the UK.

 

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Our Impact

The positive impacts of our work are felt across the UK and far beyond. From supporting women’s and girls’ education globally, to developing and leading multi-agency projects to address climate change, our impacts make tangible differences to people’s lives.

Our work aligns to UNESCO core programme areas of education, the sciences, culture and communication & information, and contributes to the achievement of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, defined in the 2030 Agenda. 

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Explore our Resources

Our Resource Centre is the essential document library for UNESCO in the UK.

From major research studies to strategy documents, toolkits to accreditation guidance, maps to factsheets, our Resource Centre is the place to find the information you need.

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Constitutions & Conventions
Constitution of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation - 2022 Edition
Research Reports
The National Value of UNESCO Designations to the United Kingdom
Toolkits
Audience Development and Mapping Toolkit
Toolkits
Digital Toolkit for UNESCO Designated Sites in the UK
Constitutions & Conventions
Constitution of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation - 2022 Edition
Research Reports
The National Value of UNESCO Designations to the United Kingdom
Toolkits
Audience Development and Mapping Toolkit
Toolkits
Digital Toolkit for UNESCO Designated Sites in the UK

Get Recognised

Achieving UNESCO status is a huge achievement. It shows that a place, organisation, or person has met, and continues to meet, UNESCO's international standards and ascribes to its values.

There are many ways to be accredited by UNESCO in the UK: designated site status, patronage, prizes, or becoming a member of our expert network. 

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Latest News

19 March 2025
The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site takes centre stage on BBC's Countryfile programme

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site was the focus of the latest episode of BBC One Countryfile programme.

16 March 2025
CoSTAR Live Lab set to turbocharge Yorkshire’s creative economy

As a leading supporter of York UNESCO City of Media Arts, the University of York has nurtured innovative research and pedagogy in media arts for over four decades.

14 March 2025
Canterbury Cathedral announces 'UNESCO Sites: Foundations of Faith' tours for the summer of 2025

Canterbury Cathedral has announced the launch of special "Foundation of Faith" tours this summer, covering all aspects of the Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey…

19 March 2025
The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site takes centre stage on BBC's Countryfile programme

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site was the focus of the latest episode of BBC One Countryfile programme.

16 March 2025
CoSTAR Live Lab set to turbocharge Yorkshire’s creative economy

As a leading supporter of York UNESCO City of Media Arts, the University of York has nurtured innovative research and pedagogy in media arts for over four decades.

14 March 2025
Canterbury Cathedral announces 'UNESCO Sites: Foundations of Faith' tours for the summer of 2025

Canterbury Cathedral has announced the launch of special "Foundation of Faith" tours this summer, covering all aspects of the Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey…

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This website was produced by the UK National Commission for UNESCO as part of its Local to Global programme, made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.