Press release
First Regional Partners Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean
Regional Partners Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, 3 - 4 October 2019
UNESCO held its first Regional Partners’ Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, in Panama City on 3-4 October 2019. The Forum was an invitation to current and potential new partners to engage with UNESCO to achieve the ambitious objectives of its programmes in education, sciences, culture, communication and information.
During the inauguration ceremony, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, Mr. Xing QU, highlighted UNESCO’s essential role and commitment towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “These goals require strong and decisive support not only from the public sector, but also from the private sector, civil society, companies and individuals alike. UNESCO’s programmes bear witness to our ability to mobilize a range of partners in an integrated approach to respond to environmental issues and to take into account a diversity of solutions and knowledge, including local and indigenous knowledge. The benefits of achieving Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals will bring great returns for every investment made in Education, Culture, Science and Communication and Information. This, in turn, will generate more prosperous and fairer societies”, said Mr. Qu.
Representatives from governments, private sector, development agencies, philanthropic foundations, development banks, regional and international organizations, academia and civil society got together to discuss cooperation opportunities around specific themes of importance to the region: Culture & Creativity for Sustainable Development; Climate Action and Promoting Socio-Environmental Resilience; Partnering for More Inclusive, Equitable and Quality Education; Empowering Youth and Building Opportunities to Drive Change for Sustainable Development; Addressing Regional Challenges around Migration; and Opportunities for Building a ‘Sustainable Blue Economy’.
The two-day Forum provided an important opportunity for dialogue and networking, and helped to identify concrete entry points for enhanced cooperation and partnership in the region. Diverse conferences, panel discussions and networking meetings also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and lessons learned.
UNESCO also signed a Letter of Intent with Huawei for cooperation in Central America on the first day of the Forum.
For photos and videos of the event, please click here. Watch video here
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