India re-elected to Unesco executive board for 2021-25 term

India was re-elected to the executive board of the UN's cultural and education organisation for 2021-25 term with 164 votes, on Wednesday. India was re-elected to Group IV of Asian and Pacific States which include Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cook Islands and China also.

“India gets reelected to the Executive Board of UNESCO with 164 votes for the term 2021-25,” said the Paris-based Permanent Delegation of India to Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in a tweet.

The executive board of UN's cultural and educational organisation is one of 3 constitutional organs of the UN agency. The other two are General Conference and Secretariat. The General Conference elects members of the executive board.

After India's re-election to the body, Union minister of state (culture), Meenakshi Lekhi, thanked all the member countries who supported New Delhi’s candidature.

She said in a tweet, “Delighted to inform that India has made it to the Executive Board Of UNESCO. Heartiest congratulations and thankful to all the member countries who supported our candidature.”

The executive board consists of 58 member-states, each with a 4-year term. It examines the programme of work for the organisation and corresponding budget estimates submitted to it by the director-general. The board represents exercises the power delegated to it by General Conference.