Mission and mandates of the Representative of the Government of Quebec in the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO

The May 5, 2006 agreement between the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada concerning the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) was an unprecedented step forward, placing it among the most decisive initiatives in Québec’s international relations history. The Québec Government Representative in the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO is mandated to:

• Promote the interests of the Government of Québec in matters of education, culture, scientific development and information society within the international community.
• Improve government positions through strategic actions drawing on the network of bilateral and multilateral relations of Québec diplomacy.
• Communicate and defend positions maintained by the Government of Québec in various decision-making and advisory bodies of UNESCO concerning strategic issues.
• Promote and develop the expertise of the Government of Québec and civil partnership in UNESCO’s fields of activity and in reaching sustainable development targets.
• Develop and maintain institutional relations with delegations from UNESCO Member States.
• Actively participate in the work and activities of UNESCO representative groups such as La Francophonie and the Commonwealth.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

For two decades now, Québec has brought unique expertise and contributions to this specialized agency of the United Nations in our areas of interest. The Stratégie québécoise relative à l’UNESCO 2026 et 2027 (PDF 4.01 Mb) (in French only) reports on the Government of Québec’s actions within the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO while proposing strategic directions for the years to come.

The following areas are of particular interest in 2026 and 2027:

• The discoverability of cultural content in the digital age;
• Digital learning and Artificial Intelligence;
• Media and information literacy;
• The ethics of science and technology;
• The protection of biodiversity.

This government publication marks the 20th anniversary of the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec Concerning the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It also highlights the Québec-UNESCO community, comprising all of our institutional and civil society partners, including 23 UNESCO Research Chairs in Québec out of a total of 42 in Canada.

With all its distinctiveness, its skill set, a clear vision and a renewed commitment, Québec will continue to practise a diplomacy of constructive influence and impact within UNESCO, aligned with its priorities and interests.