Mr Simataa brings to UNESCO over 30 years of professional, managerial and governance experience. His academic background and professional experience are in line with UNESCO’s field of competences. Biography

With Mr Simataa Southern African presence at the General Conference is greatly enhanced. His term will entail some challenges, as the era of the Millenium Development Goals comes to a conclusion and member states prepare for the implementation of a new transformational agenda. Steering through this transitional period he will be able to apply and demonstrate his skills and experience.

General Powers of the President

The President shall declare the opening and closing of each plenary meeting of the Conference. He shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of these Rules, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote and announce decisions. He shall rule on points of order and, subject to the present Rules, shall control the proceedings and the maintenance of order. The President may, in the course of the discussion of an item, propose to the Conference the limitation of the time to be allowed to speakers, the limitation of the number of times each speaker may speak, the closure of the list of speakers or the closure of the debate. He may also propose the suspension or adjournment of the meeting or the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion.

The President shall not vote, but may designate a member of his delegation to vote in his place.
The President, in the exercise of his functions, remains under the authority of the General Conference.
The President of the General Conference shall sit ex officio in an advisory capacity on the Executive Board.

• President's speech