The German Commission for UNESCO (DUK) is Germany's intermediary organization for multilateral cooperation in education, science, culture and communication and is also a National Commission under Art. VII of the UNESCO Constitution. Its task is to advise the Federal Government, the Bundestag and other competent bodies on all issues arising from the Federal Republic of Germany's membership of UNESCO.

The DUK develops contributions to international understanding and international cooperation within the framework of German UNESCO policy. It coordinates the participation of German experts and German civil society in the development of UNESCO programs and standards. As an intermediary organization for foreign cultural and educational policy, the DUK is funded by the Federal Foreign Office.

The 197 UNESCO National Commissions form a globally unique network within the UN system. The task of this network is to support governments in their participation in UNESCO and to contribute national expertise to intergovernmental cooperation.