Mauritius

• © UNESCO/J. Foy
• Mauritius Beach and lagoon, biosphere reserve

Mauritius joined UNESCO on 25 October 1968. It is covered by the UNESCO Office Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Mauritius values its rich ethnic and cultural diversity. It is a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The country is also active in the “Slave Route Project”, which restitutes the history of slave trading. The “Mont le Morne” cultural site, symbol of resistance to slavery, has been proposed for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Mauritius was elected a member of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee in 2007.

One of the five laureates of the L’OREAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science 2007 was Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, University of Mauritius professor.

Mauritius is involved in the strategy for sustainable development of Small Island Developing States.