Luxembourg, candidate to the UNESCO Executive Board for 2025-2029
Twenty years after sitting on the UNESCO Executive Board for the first time, Luxembourg is keen to take up its seat on the Board again so that it can make an active contribution and demonstrate its firm commitment to education, culture, communication and science.
Luxembourg's candidature is supported by the Benelux countries.
Luxembourg's thematic priorities
UNESCO plays a key role in the global geopolitical and environmental situation. Luxembourg's candidature to sit on the Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term highlights a series of priority areas, all of which are closely linked to its expertise and long-standing international engagement.
Education: a human right
Everyone has the right to inclusive quality education. Luxembourg devotes 1% of its gross national income (GNI) to development cooperation and has identified education as a priority field. In crisis or conflict situations, education must be guaranteed for every child and young person.
Culture
Luxembourg is a confluence of cultures, and the diversity of cultural expressions is an integral part of its identity. Luxembourg sees the protection of cultural heritage as a key component of sustainable development, and creativity as a source of social harmony and well-being. As a member country of the Francophonie, an Associate Observer of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and a German-speaking country, Luxembourg is a firm advocate for multilingualism. Luxembourg society is a living example of interculturality, where the cross-fertilisation of ideas and experiences leads to mutual enrichment.
Culture is also seen as a vehicle for peace: Luxembourg is committed to protecting cultural heritage in conflict and crisis situations.
Information and communication
Luxembourg has supported the UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) for many years, and it was elected to the IPDC Intergovernmental Council for the period 2023-2027. Luxembourg advocates for the safety of journalists and media professionals – with a particular emphasis on women in these professions, who are especially vulnerable – and is also committed to the fight against disinformation and misinformation, recognising that tackling this issue is essential for a healthy democracy.
Science
Universal access to science is crucial to drive the scientific progress that humanity so desperately needs. We need to take into account the voices of women, the LGBTI+ community and all vulnerable populations. Science must be the only viable and credible response to the climate crisis, which is taking a disproportionate toll on small island developing states. Luxembourg recognises the role of biospheres in efforts to protect the environment and biodiversity.
UNESCO must engage in serious reflection on social change, and Luxembourg is contributing to this by its involvement in the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme. Luxembourg is actively contributing to the work of the International Bioethics Committee (IBC).
Luxembourg's candidature in images
Promoting natural and cultural heritage and constantly upholding UNESCO's core values in all fields: see Luxembourg's candidature in images.
Découvrez notre patrimoine en images
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Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall
With its grandiose landscapes, spectacular rock formations, deep valleys and rolling hills, this nature park is one of the most remarkable in Europe. It brings together local players and sustainable initiatives in the fields of agriculture, culture, tourism and environmental education. Since 2022, it has been part of the prestigious UNESCO Global Network of Geoparks.
© Sabino Parente
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Would you like to discover the places that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites? All places are easy to reach and well signposted.
© SIP
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Family of Man exhibition
In 1955, photographer Edward Steichen, an American of Luxembourg origin, unveiled a collection of 503 photographs taken by 273 artists from 68 countries. Commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the exhibition was intended as a manifesto for peace and human equality through post-war humanist photography. It has been on show at the Château de Clervaux since 1994.
© LFT / Romain Girtgen
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Satellite communication and imagery
Luxembourg is mobilising its experience in satellite communications and imagery to support emergency responders around the world. The Emergency.lu mobile satellite telecommunications platform, designed for rapid deployment in humanitarian crisis situations, is one of Luxembourg's flagship cooperation projects. Since 2025, Luxembourg has also been supporting UNOSAT, as part of its partnership with UNESCO, to monitor cultural heritage in the event of armed conflict or natural disaster and document damage when it occurs.
© Emergency.lu
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The watchtowers, remains of the fortress
The remains of the fortress of Luxembourg City, once known as the “Gibraltar of the North”, dominate the surrounding valleys and offer magnificent panoramic views. Although the old buildings, barracks and fortifications have been modernised, they still retain the charm of a bygone era.
© Vic Fischbach
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The Fortress of Luxembourg, World Heritage Site
Built between the 10th and 19th centuries, the Luxembourg fortress characterises the city’s panorama. In 1994, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the old quarters of the Ville-Haute, testifying to the historical importance of this remarkable ensemble.
© Christophe Van Biesen
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Meluxina, Luxembourg's supercomputer
Inaugurated in June 2021, the Meluxina supercomputer supports both public and private partners in carrying out complex calculations across a range of sectors. SES, RSS-Hydro and ispace are using it to optimise satellite performance, improve environmental simulations and plan lunar missions. More than 200 companies in 15 economic sectors have already expressed an interest in using Meluxina.
© LuxProvide / EuroHPC
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The Philharmonie: hub of cultural performance
The Philharmonie is one of Luxembourg's leading centres for musical performance and production. From classical symphonies to new sounds, it welcomes local artists as well as international stars and ensembles in over 400 performances per season. Its concerts for young audiences and the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra play a key role in attracting a varied local and international audience.
© NON INFORME!
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The Sprangpressessioun, UNESCO intangible heritage
Every year on Whit Tuesday, the abbey town of Echternach welcomes thousands of pilgrims and spectators from the region and beyond to attend the Dancing Procession. The participants leap to the rhythm of the musical groups as they make their way to the tomb of Saint Willibrord. Since 2010, the Sprangpressessioun has been part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
© LFT / Foto ACPresse
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From red matter to grey matter
On the former steel-making wasteland of Esch-Belval, the University of Luxembourg has established itself as a centre of academic and scientific excellence. Alongside research institutions such as the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the site combines innovation and industrial heritage, offering a unique setting for teaching, research and technological development.
© LFT / Oliver Raatz
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Terres rouges, a Unesco-labelled biosphere
Once an iron ore mining region, the Minett in southern Luxembourg is now one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Right in the heart of the urban centres, the Terres Rouges, a former mining site, has been transformed into a nature reserve, home to an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna.
© LMIH/Focalize
Luxembourg's general priorities
Luxembourg's candidature also incorporates a number of more general priorities, in line with those of UNESCO, with an emphasis on enhancing intersectorality. These priorities are:
- Human rights protection
- Gender equality
- Africa
- Small island developing states
- Young people
Download the brochure
Luxembourg, a founding member of UNESCO, a dedicated player in multilateral development cooperation and a centre for world heritage, has been a committed and reliable partner of UNESCO since its early days. Read about the other arguments supporting Luxembourg's candidature for the UNESCO Executive Board in our online brochure!
Luxembourg is home to several UNESCO heritage sites – read our articles to find out more
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Echternach Hopping Procession – a musical pilgrimage and UNESCO heritage
Every year on Whit Tuesday, the ancient abbey town of Echternach plays host to the dancing procession, or Sprangprëssessioun, which is included on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
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Luxembourg and UNESCO: a commitment to education, science, culture and communication
As the world becomes more interconnected, UNESCO's global efforts in education, science, culture, and communication are increasingly vital. Luxembourg remains dedicated to implementing these principles both domestically and internationally.
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Nature reserves: Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall - a geological masterpiece
The Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall is located in the central and eastern part of the country, in the Mullerthal region. It covers an area of 256km2 and forms the border with Germany. A perfect destination if you're looking for UNESCO-labelled geology!
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Edward Steichen: World Memory in images
With the Steichen Collections Luxembourg, the Grand Duchy has at its disposal a veritable treasure trove of photography linked to the long and rich career of Edward J. Steichen (1879-1973), which was marked above all by photography.
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UNESCO heritage in Luxembourg: history, art, traditions and nature
Are you a fan of UNESCO tourism? Luxembourg now has nine heritage sites with the UNESCO label: architecture, photography, dance, traditions, music and nature all await you in the Grand Duchy.
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The Haupeschbléiser: The UNESCO-recognised hunting horn players of Luxembourg
The Haupeschbléiser are part of the UNESCO Intangible World Cultural Heritage. Since the 1970s, they have once again filled the air with the sounds of their hunting horns. But what is this musical art from the French royal court all about?
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The intangible cultural heritage in the spotlight: discover seven traditional treasures of Luxembourg
Preserved traditions: Luxembourg's intangible cultural heritage from dry-stone walling to Fléizen, folk dances to midwifery - a fascinating panorama of cultural diversity preserved over generations.
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Discovering UNESCO's natural heritage in Luxembourg
UNESCO is also about nature! Here is an invitation to explore the Minett UNESCO Biosphere, a biosphere reserve since October 2020, and the Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall, a UNESCO World Geopark since April 2022.
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