Following the recent adoption by  the UN General Assembly of a resolution concluding the fifth (biannual) Review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, welcomed this resolution “which shows the determination of Member States to ‎unite against violent extremism and against terrorism".

"I see this as a powerful call to strengthen cooperation at every level and bolster ‎action to prevent and counter these threats," she continued. "This is the vital importance of UNESCO' s action in education, in safeguarding cultural heritage, in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts, in promoting freedom of expression and new ICTS for peace, in advancing intercultural dialogue."

"I see this as a new global struggle for hearts and minds -- especially young hearts and minds," said Irina Bokova, "where UNESCO has a recognised vital role to play."

"We need tolerance, mutual respect and understanding between and within all societies today, and this calls for new forms of education, new platforms for dialogue, new platforms for youth engagement, especially in conflict situations."

The new resolution underlines the importance of UNESCO and its fields of competence, to strengthen the foundations for a culture of peace.