Unesco Sri Lankan National Commission

13/02/2026

The Ancient City of Sigiriya

05/02/2026

Call for nominations: Fourth edition of the UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences

UNESCO invites the Member States, in consultation with the National Commissions for UNESCO, to nominate candidates for the fourth edition of the UNESCO Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences. The Prize recognizes outstanding achievements in basic sciences research, education, popularization, and international or regional cooperation that contribute to sustainable development, awarding two winners annually with US$250,000 each, along with a gold medal and diploma.

Nominations must be submitted online in English or French by 15 March 2026.

Need to Know more?
https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/mendeleev

Dedicated template available on: Nomination and selection Procedure
https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/mendeleev/nomination-process

18/12/2025

A long-awaited and important milestone!

With the aim of documenting and inventorying the Intangible Cultural Heritage elements of the Northern Province, a training workshop is taking place at the AHAVOLI Centre in Jaffna from 16th to 19th December 2025. This significant initiative has been launched with the financial support of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO and is organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

12/12/2025

UNESCO ICH Inscribes “Kithul Madeema/Kithul Kapeema – an Ancient Indigenous Technology for Tapping Kithul in Sri Lanka”

Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU) announces the inscription of the traditional practice of Kithul Madeema/Kithul Kapeema on UNESCO’s Representative List of the of Humanity. This recognition, officially declared on 11 December 2025 in New Delhi, honours the rich, centuries-old expertise of tapping the Kithul palm to produce cherished products such as treacle and jaggery. Practiced across 13 districts, this heritage reflects the exceptional craftsmanship, sustainable knowledge, and cultural identity of rural communities in Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka extends sincere appreciation to for this acknowledgment and pays tribute to the dedicated tappers and tradition-bearers who have safeguarded this practice through generations.
This milestone marks a moment of national pride, reinforcing our commitment to protecting and celebrating Sri Lanka’s living heritage.
SLNCU appreciates the dedicated efforts of Dr. Ravindra Vithanachchi of the Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in preparing the nomination dossier for Kithul Madeema/Kithul Kapeema.

For more details:

Website:
https://www.srilankaembassy.fr/index.php/en/page/1130-unesco-ich-inscribes-kithul-madeemakithul-kapeema-ancient-indigenous-technology-tapping

UNESCO:
https://x.com/UNESCO/status/1998968918367780915/photo/1

Message of Tim Curtis, the Director/South Asia Regional Office of UNESCO extends heartfelt congratulations
https://x.com/unescoindia/status/1999058942371270954?s=48&t=x0GbqmXuU9lcWQjO1en1uQ

09/12/2025

The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme 2026-2027 (UNESCO/The People's Republic of China)

The 2026-2027 edition is now open for applications.

UNESCO and the Government of China will offer 75 fellowships in 2025–2026 to support advanced undergraduate and postgraduate studies for candidates from developing countries, with 27 new slots available. The fellowships, hosted at selected Chinese universities, cover visiting scholar programs or full master’s and doctoral degrees.
Women and applicants from Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Candidates should submit their applications to the National Commission of their home countries no later than Friday, 23 January 2026.

Application Guideline:
https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2025/11/Application%20Guidelines%20for%20UNESCO_China%20Fellowships%20Programme%202026-27.pdf?hub=986

Online application:
https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2025/11/Annex%20II-Instructions%20for%20Online%20Application-UNESCO_China%20Fellowships%20Programme%202026-27.pdf?hub=986

Language form:
https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2024/01/Annex%20IV_Certificate%20of%20Language%20Knowledge.pdf?hub=986

Visit the web for more:
https://www.unesco.org/en/fellowships/greatwall

27/11/2025

Invitation to the Webinar for Youth on “Ethics of Neurotechnology”
3 December 2025

The webinar is part of the preparation for the Fourth International UNESCO Model, to be held in Hong Kong from 12 to 15 December 2025.

This Model includes an online webinar for selected finalists and an in-person final session featuring international debate and resolution drafting.
The webinar will provide young people with specialized knowledge on the ethical implications of neurotechnology, aligned with UNESCO’s new Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology adopted in 2025.
UNESCO encourages wide participation from youth aged 15 to 35 and will share the detailed programme soon.

Registration Link:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Youth on “Ethics of Neurotechnology”. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

17/11/2025

17/11/2025

UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development

The deadline for nominations for the 2025–2026 UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development has been extended to 31 January 2026, with applications to be submitted in English or French via the online platform.
An online information meeting will be held on 18 November 2025 from 14:00 to 15:00 CET (see the link below) with interpretation in English and French. Supported by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, the Prize recognizes outstanding initiatives in teacher development, awarding three laureates US$100,000 each.
Governments of UNESCO Member States (National Commissions) can nominate projects up to five (5) nominees

For online information meeting: https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoifkZTHQ2eEG9H-WYJ8LA #/registration
Further details about the Prize and the selection process are available on the dedicated webpage. https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/teacher-development

Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Uq5PHbM5-kuwswIpVrERlDWV631pOVBDowaF81Q3N5dUNVhFSEk1MllNVlcwVDM1VVhTVE02TDQyTyQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development

27/10/2025

MOOC on AI and Digital Transformation in Government

is transforming how governments serve their citizens and shaping the future of public leadership.
The AI and Digital Transformation in Government Course, created by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and UNESCO, empowers civil servants worldwide to lead this change responsibly.
🌐 Self-paced, online, and free for participants.
🗓 Enrolment opens 10 November 2025 in English and Spanish.
➡️ Learn more and register your interest: https://oxsbs.link
For more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPVBS8zCWK4

03/10/2025

Call for nominations for the UNESCO-Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology

UNESCO invites to submit nominations for the 18th edition of the UNESCO-Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology, funded by the Government of Cuba, which recognizes outstanding contributions to microbiology and its applications.
Nominations, submitted via National Commissions or eligible NGOs through UNESCO’s online platform in English or French, must be received by 30 November 2025 (midnight, CEST); late or self-nominations will not be considered.
Submit your applications to [email protected]

For detailed explanation of the nomination process: -
https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/carlos-j-finlay/nomination?hub=920
Online Platform: -
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Uq5PHbM5-kuwswIpVrERlDWV631pOVBDowaF81Q3N5dUODVZQlA2TFg5MVk4OU0wMkdSSjgwRFFIViQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

29/09/2025

The World Meditation Day 2024 Report was officially published on 10 September 2025. It presents the proceedings of the first Global Symposium held to commemorate 21 December as World Meditation Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations.

This landmark event was organized by the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the Centre for Meditation Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The symposium brought together distinguished resource persons from across the world — including Australia, Bhutan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others.

The full report may be downloaded here:https://med.cmb.ac.lk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/E-Book-Template_compressed.pdf

23/09/2025

"Certificate Awarding Ceremony – Mitsubishi Asian Children’s Enikki Festa Art Diary Competition"
The Mitsubishi Asian Children’s Enikki Festa Art Diary Competition award ceremony was held at Temple Trees on August 28, 2025, with Hon. Harini Amarasuriya as Chief Guest, recognizing 300 students including the top eight winners and specially honoring the Grand Prix winner.
The event, organized by the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO as local organizers with the international sponsorship, of the Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee, the Asian Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (AFUCA), and the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ) featured vibrant cultural performances by students from three schools.