In 1992, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization formed the UNESCO Chairs Program with the mantle of bringing universities & research organizations around the world together for greater achievements through cooperation and fulfilling UNESCO's educational, scientific, and cultural ideals.

UNESCO chairs are universities or research entities assigned to conduct research in selected areas that align with UNESCO's purpose. In the context of UNESCO chairs, the denomination "chair" does not indicate a status of academic distinction, as its traditional definition. A designated UNESCO chair is a university or research organization involved in achieving the ideals of UNESCO through research in education, natural sciences, culture, humanities & social sciences, information communication, & other fields. UNESCO Chairs must be fully committed to and capable of sharing their research assets in earnest.

UNESCO chairs are not individuals but institutions selected by UNESCO. They are actively engaged in education, research, teacher-learner exchanges, academic events, teaching program development, publishing, and other fields. They assume the role of a think tank and intermediary that gathers the academic world, the general public, local communities, & policy-makers in concerted efforts.