2025 year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, a milestone that invites reflection on the values of peace, cooperation, and shared progress. Since its founding in 1945, UNESCO, known as the UN’s “intellectual agency,” has championed the mission of “building peace in the minds of men and women” through education, science, and culture.

But in a world where funding shortfalls, digital transformations, and ethical challenges in technology are reshaping global governance, how can UNESCO continue to fulfill its founding vision? And how can China, with its growing role in international cooperation and innovation, work with UNESCO to find new solutions?

In this episode of My China Eye, we speak with Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, to explore how UNESCO and China are jointly advancing peace and sustainable development in the 21st century, building on ideas that have inspired generations.