The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, also referred to as UNACOM, was established in 1951 through Republic Act No. 621, amended by RA 892 in 1953 and RA 3849 in 1964 to honor the international commitment of the country to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNACOM is an attached agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs, working closely with the DFA - United Nations and Other International Organizations(UNIO) Office and the Philippine Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

UNACOM’s original mandate is to serve as an advisory and liaison body bridging the work of relevant Philippine partners to UNESCO’s own work in educational, scientific and cultural matters and concerns. Over the years and in view of the ever-changing contexts of national, regional and international affairs, the role of UNACOM has expanded to meet new and increasingly complex needs and challenges.

Hence, beyond the advisory and liaison functions crafted in the 1950s, its tasks grew to include a more active role in the dissemination of public information on UNESCO’s work by the 1960s. By the 1970s, this further evolved to include a role in the formulation of policy feedback. Finally, the 1990s eventually saw UNESCO’s thrusts begin to decentralize altogether, so that national commissions became active organization partners, responsible for defining and expanding their roles in their respective countries.

Mission
To be the primary enabling agency in maximizing Philippine engagement in UNESCO and in advancing UNESCO programmes in the country.

Vision
To contribute to peace, nation-building, and sustainable development by promoting collaboration among nations or institutions through education, sciences, communication and information, and culture in pursuit of quality education, lifelong learning, heritage and biodiversity protection and conservation, and universal respect for social justice, human rights and the fundamental freedom of all peoples.

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