Bangladesh has secured a seat on UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, marking a significant diplomatic achievement.
The election took place during the 25th General Assembly of the States Parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Although no seat was originally allocated this year for Bangladesh in the Asia–Pacific regional group, Dhaka made a strategic decision to contest an open seat—and won.
This is the first time in Bangladesh’s 53-year membership of the Convention that it has been elected to the committee. The term will run from 2025 to 2029, according to a press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris.
This victory follows another major milestone on 7 October 2025, when Bangladesh’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Khandaker M. Talha, was elected President of the UNESCO General Assembly, defeating candidates from Japan, South Korea and India. With the latest win, Bangladesh has now secured victories in all eight UNESCO elections it has contested since Ambassador Talha assumed office in November 2021.
“Bangladesh’s success at UNESCO is not a one-off event,” Ambassador Talha said. “It reflects the confidence of member states in our diplomatic capabilities and their support for Bangladesh’s leadership. These achievements have been possible through consistent diplomatic efforts and dedicated campaigning.”
The ambassador also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Foreign Secretary, the UN Wing of the Foreign Ministry, and colleagues at the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris for their contributions to the election effort.
Since joining the World Heritage Convention, Bangladesh has had three cultural heritage sites and one natural site inscribed on the World Heritage List. The last addition was the Sundarbans in 1997. Many observers believe the latest election result reaffirms broad international support for Bangladesh’s expanding role in UNESCO.
The World Heritage Committee is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and influential bodies within UNESCO. Bangladesh will take part in the Committee’s 48th session, scheduled to be held in Busan, South Korea, in June 2026.
