The 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, which closed on 18 November, has reaffirmed the Organization’s central role in the fight against violent extremism and in achieving the goals set by the international community in its newly adopted Sustainable Development Agenda. The General Conference is the governing body of the Orgnaization.

These priorities were highlighted by the unprecedented number of Heads of State and Government, who visited UNESCO during the session. They marked the 70th anniversary of the Organization with the Leaders’ Forum on 16 and 17 November reaffirming their solidarity with France following the terrorist attacks that struck Paris last week.