Following the decision to launch regular meetings of the Heads of UNESCO’s three Organs in follow-up to one of the recommendations adopted during the Independent External Evaluation process, the Director-General, Irina Bokova, the President of the General Conference, Katalin Bogyay and the Chairperson of the Executive Board, Alissandra Cummins held talks on 4 June 2012.

This was the second meeting of the Heads of the three Organs. The meeting explored key issues relating to the current situation of UNESCO, including the ongoing financial situation and fund-raising efforts, new initiatives within the UN system and the role of UNESCO in this regard, preparations for the next Medium term Strategy (C/4), preparations for Rio +20, communication between the Secretariat and Member States and interaction with the Staff associations.

  
The Director-General briefed the President of the General Conference and the Chairperson of the Executive Board on the financial situation, updating the information she already provided on 7 May during the information meeting of the Executive Board. She noted also that that updated information is available on the website (www.unesco.int), along with the status of voluntary advances made to the Working Capital Fund and contributions to the Multi-Donors Emergency Fund.

Both the President of the General Conference and the Chairperson of the Executive Board commented on the broad support of Member States for the Director-General’s action and indicated areas where greater information would still be needed. They also exchanged further information on the use of the Multi-Donors Emergency Fund.  

The meeting also considered preparations for the C/4 in house and the ongoing consultation process with Member States and National Commissions. The Director-General informed on new initiatives related to education and the sciences to be launched shortly within the framework of the UN system and the active role played by UNESCO in these processes. She also provided fresh information about the state of play for the Rio +20 conference.

All three Heads of UNESCO’s institutional bodies acknowledged that sharing information with Member States was crucial, as was the need for the Secretariat to communicate better on results achieved.