At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, UNESCO Director-General attends International Dialogue on Asian Civilizations

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Director-General Audrey Azoulay will represent the United Nations at the opening ceremony of the International Dialogue on Asian Civilizations, along with several heads of state and government. This is her second visit to China as Director-General.

 Under the patronage of the Chinese President, this conference aims at accelerating regional cooperation and providing a platform for learning, exchanges, and intercultural dialogue.

 Prior to the conference, Ms. Azoulay will join the Chinese President and First Lady on a visit to the UNESCO photo exhibition: “Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads”. This traveling exhibition features 65 photos selected by an international jury from 6625 photos from 100 countries.

 In July 2018, President Xi Jinping welcomed the Director-General, on her first visit, marking the start of a new era for the strategic partnership between China and UNESCO. During her visit, she stressed her belief in “multilateralism which is becoming more and more important to address contemporary challenges” and congratulated “China’s great commitment to a multilateral system.”

The Director-General has also held talks with Professor Peng Liyuan, the First Lady of the People’s Republic of China and UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls’ and Women’s Education on 26 March. The First Lady visited UNESCO on the occasion of the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education, and reiterated her support for the Organization’s work on this priority issue.  

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