The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is expected to establish a Category 1 Institute on STEM education in Shanghai, according to the Ministry of Education.

The 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Board, held in Paris on Monday, adopted a resolution for the establishment of the institute by acclimation. Category 1 institutes and centers are institutionally part of UNESCO.

The resolution to establish a Category 1 Institute in China still needs to be approved at the upcoming 42nd session of UNESCO's General Conference in November. Once approved, it would be the first Category 1 institute of UNESCO in China, as well as the first outside Europe.

Chen Jie, vice-minister of education, said this is an important moment in the history of the organization and history will affirm this decision was made appropriately.

The Chinese government will remain faithful to its commitment and cooperate fully with the UNESCO secretariat for the implementation of the project, he said.

"We are waiting for approval of the resolution by the 42nd session of UNESCO's General Conference. We hope it will happen and it will be possible to open up the center as quickly as possible, which will help us contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030."