Portugal in UNESCO: From leaving in 1972 to returning as a member in 1974

Abstract

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in November 1946. Portugal was formally admitted to UNESCO on 1 March 1965. Since its entry as a Member State, the Portuguese government has been confronted with successive resolutions of the General Assembly and the Executive Council of UNESCO, which strongly condemned its colonial policy. The establishment of diplomatic relations with the organization would only be possible after the democratization of the Portuguese regime and the effective resolution of the colonial issue. Once all necessary procedures have been adopted, Portugal returned to UNESCO in September 1974.