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Strengthening Collaboration: 2025 National Consultation for UNEVOCs in China

On 11 February 2025, the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia successfully organized the second national consultation among UNEVOC centers in China, bringing together representatives from five UNEVOC centers across the country. This virtual consultation served as a platform to enhance collaboration and foster knowledge exchange among the centers, with a particular emphasis on sharing insights, experiences, and future visions.

During the consultation, each center delivered a comprehensive overview of its accomplishments in 2024 and outlined its strategic plans for 2025. These presentations highlighted the diverse and dynamic nature of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiatives in China, ranging from digital-innovation-driven projects to international cooperation efforts. The contributions of the UNEVOC centers underscored their unwavering commitment to advancing TVET both locally and globally.

As the second annual meeting since 2024, this consultation provided a valuable opportunity for the centers to engage in meaningful dialogue and set the stage for future collaboration within China and the broader East Asian region. By aligning with global TVET trends, these efforts are poised to bring innovative changes to skills training and education, ultimately benefiting individuals and society at large.

UNESCO Seminar Highlights Impact Assessment as a Tool for Heritage Conservation

On 27-28 March 2025, the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) Legal Frameworks Seminar for East Asia was held at Minzu University of China in Beijing (China). The event was jointly hosted by the Law School of Minzu University of China, the Law School of Renmin University of China, the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITR-AP Shanghai), and UNESCO Chair on Cultural Heritage Law at Remin University of China. Over 50 officials and professionals from China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, China Academy of Cultural Heritage, China Cultural Heritage Information and Consulting Center, the Antiquities and Monuments Office of Hong Kong SAR Government, Minzu University of China, Renmin University of China, Tongji University, and Northwest University, as well as foreign experts from Australia, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia and Republic of Korea, participated in this seminar.

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UNESCO Partners’ Meeting Launches "ICH as Fashion" Initiative in East Asia

On February 13, 2025, UNESCO’s multi-year “ICH as Fashion” initiative kicked off in Chuxiong, Yunnan, during its first Partners’ Meeting, marking a significant milestone in integrating intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into contemporary fashion. The Partners’ Meeting, co-hosted by the Chuxiong Municipal Government and UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, brought together key stakeholders from East Asia, including city governments, fashion institutions, ICH associations, and universities, and most importantly, ICH practitioners themselves. This gathering underscored the initiative’s commitment to fostering ethical and equitable collaboration with ICH communities, ensuring their voices, knowledge and agency remain at the core of this transformative effort.

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Flowing Harmony, Renewed Legacy

2025 World Water Day Open Day was held at the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing

On March 22, 2025, the "World Water Day" open day was held at the Grand Canal in Tongzhou District, Beijing. This event was jointly hosted by UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), and co-organized by the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, Beijing Beiyun River Administrative Office, and Tongzhou District Water Authority of Beijing Municipality. The event was attended by representatives from various affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Water Resources, local authorities, and embassies and consulates from countries such as Pakistan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Iran, Indonesia, Zambia, France, Mexico, Uruguay, and Australia, along with several international organizations focused on water-related issues.

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UNESCO Supports the Reform of the Media Freedom Law in Mongolia

UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia continues to support Mongolia in its efforts to create a robust and enabling environment for media freedom, recognizing the latter’s vital role in democratic societies. To this end, two multi-stakeholder consultation meetings on the Draft Law on Media Freedom were organized in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 26-27 March 2025, convening a diverse group of 93 stakeholders, including government officials, journalists, media organizations, law enforcement agencies, and international stakeholders. This crucial engagement was made possible with support by UNESCO’s Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP). 

A significant result of the workshop was the presentation of policy recommendations designed to promote meaningful dialogue among media professionals, academia, and law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the discussions fostered greater stakeholder involvement and cooperation in the on-going development of the proposed legal reforms.

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Selected Cases for the “Museums for Everyone: Innovative Practices in Accessibility and Inclusion” Call for Good Practices Announced in Early March Announced in Early March

The  co-launched by UNESCO and the Chinese Museums Association (CMA) for museums in China has received enthusiastic participation from across the country since its launch. A total of 75 case studies submitted from 60 museums covered scopes such as physical accessibility, digital accessibility, and accessible education and activities.

Under the strategic and technical guidance from UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and CMA, 16 museums were selected following a rigorous review by an expert panel comprising 17 specialists and scholars. Their practices collectively demonstrate the breadth of innovative approaches to accessible services among museums in China, providing solutions and practical experiences worthy of further exploration and promotion on a global level to continuously advance accessibility for all.

The finalists will be featured in UNESCO’s Museums for Everyone: Innovative Practices in Accessibility and Inclusion publication, which will be publicly available soon.

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Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia: Insights from the Multi-stakeholder validation meeting

UNESCO, in partnership with Rio Tinto Mongolia, has embarked on a transformative project titled “Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia through UNESCO Cultural and Geo Heritage.” This project aims to leverage the country's rich cultural and geological heritage to promote sustainable tourism. On 13 March 2025, a multistakeholder validation meeting took place at the “Zovshiltsol” Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, and Rio Tinto Mongolia.

UNESCO Supports Inclusive Arts Education in Mongolia through the “Art for Change” Project

With the support of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the Arts Council of Mongolia (ACM) has launched the “Art for Change” project, a transformative initiative designed to foster the cognitive, physical, and social development of children with disabilities through artistic engagement.

2025 International Women's Day Digital Storytelling Campaign

In response to the 2025 International Women's Day theme "For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment," the United Nations system in China has launched an online story collection campaign. This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.

As part of the joint campaign to commemorate this important Day, UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia highlighted impact stories of two female partners with disabilities who have been dedicated to the well-being of persons with disabilities and represent strong advocators for gender equality and women empowerment.    

• Ms. JI Xun, Founder of Rare & Roll: Empowering Women with Disabilities Through Digital Technology to Pave the Way for an Inclusive Future
• Ms. SUN Yaoyao, founder of the Beijing Enable Sister CenTer (BEST): Empowered by Art, Women with Disabilities Overcome Barriers with Confidence

Impact Story | UNESCO Safeguards Heritage and Transforms Lives in Shilin, China

Nestled in the heart of Yunnan province, China, the Shilin Stone Forest stands as a unique geological wonder, with its towering limestone pinnacles shaped over 270 million years. This natural treasure, however, is more than just a testament to Earth’s ancient history – it is also a living cultural hub, thanks to the efforts of UNESCO and the China Youth Development Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund. Through their “Conservation and Management of World Heritage Sites in China” project implemented since 2007, the Stone Forest and its surrounding cultural heritage are not only being preserved but are also becoming a catalyst for transformative change in the lives of local communities.

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Strengthening Educational Resilience to Withstand Mongolia’s Extreme Winters

In Mongolia, extreme winter weather such as dzuds can severely impede access to education. UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia is working with partners to build the resilience of the education system against climate hazards and ensure continuity of learning. Among the efforts, the Office united with the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU), and other national education stakeholders to support the Ministry of Education in the development and implementation of the Dzud Emergency Education Response Program, aiming to improve educational resilience and continuity during dzuds.

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