As global leaders seek solutions to pressing development challenges, UNESCO and China are deepening their collaboration to advance education and gender equality as cornerstones of sustainable progress. The partnership, rooted in shared civilizational values and forward-looking strategies, has achieved landmark milestones in 2025.
STEM Education Takes Center Stage
The inauguration of UNESCO's first Category 1 Center in China – the International Institute for STEM Education in Shanghai – marks a significant leap in global knowledge sharing. This facility serves as both an innovation hub for modern teaching methodologies and a testing ground for educational reforms addressing digital transformation and climate challenges.
Empowering Girls Through Education
China's Spring Bud Project, recognized through the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education, demonstrates tangible impact. Since 1989, the initiative has provided educational support to over four million girls, with recent expansions into STEM training and digital literacy programs. The project's recognition coincides with the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO prize, funded by China, which has awarded $1 million to 20 global initiatives since 2015.
Bridging Urban-Rural Divides
Joint efforts focus on reducing educational disparities through curriculum modernization and technology integration. UNESCO-supported programs are helping rural schools adopt AI-assisted learning tools while maintaining cultural heritage preservation components – a balance reflecting China's approach to development.
