Foreign Minister of DPRK Pays Visit to UNESCO
© UNESCO/P. Chiang-Joo
Director-General Irina Bokova affirmed the global relevance of UNESCO’s mandate to build peace through cooperation in education, science and culture during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mr Ri Su Yong, on 9 December 2015.
Ms Bokova drew attention to the multifaceted cooperation with DPRK, spanning education, the safeguarding of cultural heritage, citing the World Heritage Site of the Koguryo Tombs and Mural Paintings and the recent inscription of the Tradition of kimchi-making on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as joint projects on biodiversity and environmental protection, referring to the country’s four biosphere reserves. She drew the link to UNESCO’s engagement with the COP21 agenda, noting that climate change is an example of a global challenge that knows no borders.
She also thanked the Minister for the participation of a delegation from DPRK in the 38th session of the General Conference, which marked the Organization’s 70th anniversary and provided the opportunity to collectively recall UNESCO’s founding principles to build peace, promote international cooperation and improve the well-being of people.
The Minister expressed appreciation for the status of current cooperation with UNESCO and recognized the importance of the Organization’s role in promoting education and the universal value of cultural heritage. He affirmed that education, the foundation for building the future, is a longstanding and foremost priority for his country’s leadership, also noting the importance it places on science and technology. Finally, he underlined the richness and diversity of the country’s cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, which goes well beyond the number of inscribed sites and representative items.
The Director-General affirmed that education is the pre-requisite for development, recognizing that it is a deeply anchored value for the Korean people. She expressed UNESCO’s willingness to expand cooperation in such areas as support to the education system, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, culture and the safeguarding of cultural heritage. She expressed confidence that joint projects in these areas are a contribution to building peace and international cooperation, and thanked the Minister for his confidence in the Organization.
Minister Ri is the highest Government official from DPRK to visit UNESCO in recent decades.
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