The Director-General thanked the President for his country’s generous offer to host the Pan-African Forum for a Culture of Peace and for his support to UNESCO’s action. She commended the Head of State’s determination and the political will of Angola to consolidate peace and strive for sustainable development. The Director-General reaffirmed UNESCO’s support to Angola’s initiatives.

The President recalled the longstanding cooperation between his country and UNESCO, and highlighted the importance, especially for young people, of the values of peace and reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect, the knowledge of their own history and cultures. These issues should be included in education systems. The President underlined the importance of UNESCO’s support given the scope of its mandate.

With regard to the cooperation between UNESCO and Angola, both sides commended the signing of a Framework Agreement that will strengthen this cooperation.

The Director-General also met Mr Joao Lourenço, Vice-President of the National Assembly. He highlighted the work undertaken by all parliamentarians, working together for the same goals in spite of different political affiliations. In April 2012, the Director-General had visited the National Assembly, in the framework of an official visit to Angola, where she met with women parliamentarians.

The Director-General also met Mr Erastus Mwencha, Vice-President of the African Union Commission (AUC). The meeting focused on the fruitful partnership between UNESCO and AUC, and the participation of the Director-General in the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the creation of OUA/UA.