Bernard Combes coordinates the implementation of UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 priority action areas on accelerating local level actions and on empowering and mobilizing youth to foster local networks and platforms for learning and multi-stakeholder collaboration to better integrate ESD programmes and perspectives into inter-generational dialogues, communities' planning and decision-making processes. He is also the education sector focal point for biodiversity and UNESCO focal point for the Earth Charter, and among other things, works to reinforce cooperation with other agencies and stakeholders in communication, education and public awareness in the areas of biodiversity, water, oceans, cities and sustainable lifestyles. He previously worked with UNESCO's early childhood programmes, where he dealt with early childhood training, partnership, networking and advocacy throughout the world, and coordinated the UNESCO Early Childhood Partnerships Programme and contributed to the development of multimedia materials to enhance child rights awareness, advocacy and training. Prior to working with UNESCO's Education Sector, he was involved with research, publications and databases on development and humanitarian NGOs and networks both at UNESCO in the Social and Human Sciences Sector and at the OECD Development Center.