ACTIVITIES
10 July 2016: President of the General Conference at the 40th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Opening Ceremony
President of the General Conference meets the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe
(c) UNESCO
President of the General Conference meets the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe On 11 and 12 April 2016, during his visit to Venice, Italy, H.E. Mr Stanley Mutumba Simataa, President of the General Conference of UNESCO, met Ms Ana Luiza Thompson Flores, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau in Venice and her team to examine the mandate and activities of the Bureau as well as its unique governance system, which relates to the annual contribution of Italy to the programme activities of the Bureau.
The President acknowledged the diversity of activities led by the Bureau, in Europe and particularly South-East Europe, as well as in Central Asia with regards to the UN interagency coordination mechanism and processes, in cooperation with the concerned UNESCO Offices, in the field of the Natural Sciences and Culture.
The President was also presented with both the opportunities and challenges related to the governance of the Bureau, which relies, in addition to the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme and Budget of UNESCO, on the role of the Bureau’s Steering Committee and Scientific Council as regards the planning, implementation and monitoring phases of the Italian contribution workplan.
“At a time when the UNESCO Governing Bodies are discussing key structural issues of the Organization, such as its governance architecture, it is important to recall that effective results delivery at country level is essential and that the UNESCO Field Offices are a key component in this regard”, stated the President of the General Conference.
The Director thanked the President for his visit as it is the first time that a President of the General Conference visited the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe.
Presentations delivered by the Director, the Head of the Bureau’s Antenna in Sarajevo and the Programme Specialists for Natural Sciences and Culture provided a detailed overview of the strategic position of the Bureau, notably taking into account its role in supporting the implementation of the regional cooperation strategy of the Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe, among others. The President also congratulated the team for its pro-active fund-raising efforts, which are indeed key in programme delivery.
On the occasion of his mission, the President also benefited from the courtesy visit of Mr Umberto Marcello del Majno, Chairperson of the Association of International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice (ACP), who, together with the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau, renewed the commitment of both institutions to pursue effective relations in view of the safeguarding and promotion of the cultural heritage of the City of Venice.
10 years of achievements of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF)
(c) P. Chiang-Joo
12 November 2015
On the occasion of the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, the President of the General Conference, H.E. Mr Stanley M. Simataa, attended the ceremony of the 10th anniversary of the creation of the African World Heritage Fund and the proclamation of May 5th as the African World Heritage Day, co-organized by Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, and His Excellency Mr. Jean-Marie Adoua, President of the African Group of UNESCO.
Over the past 10 years, the AWHF has supported the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa and the safeguarding of the diversity of the continent’s rich heritage, as a source of identity and sustainable development. In his speech, Mr Simataa expressed the very special meaning for Africa since the establishment of the Fund. He underlined that “World Heritage is not only about economic development and return on investments. World Heritage is about our identity. It brings a testament to who we are, where we come from and what can be transmitted to future generations”. He insisted on the importance of youth as an integral part of the global development agenda and ended by highlighting that the African World Heritage Fund is a key player, an essential partner, in the Organization’s global action.
The ceremony was the occasion to proclaim the African World Heritage Day, while reaffirming the commitments of the international community as a whole to the safeguarding of the African World Heritage Properties.
