Calling for peace, respect and mutual understanding at the 220th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO

Convened from 9 to 23^rd October 2024 at UNESCO's Headquarters, the 220^th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, was an opportunity for the Members of the Board to take an important number of decisions regarding, inter alia, UNESCO's budget, programme, and priorities for 2026-2029; UNESCO's action in conflict situations; implementation of UNESCO's standard-setting instruments; administrative, financial and human resources management questions.

In her speech in the Plenary meeting of the Board, the President of the 42nd session of the general Conference, H.E. Amb. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, reflected on the crucial role of UNESCO in addressing the multiple crises we face today, and made a call for peace, respect and mutual understanding.

She underlined that one word united all voices of Member States in their interventions: Peace. I recalled the words of philosopher Leonidas Pitamic, who, a century ago, reminded the League of Nations that only intellectual and moral cooperation can guarantee lasting peace.

She also mentioned that UNESCO's new Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development was a powerful global tool in embedding the values of peace and mutual respect in the younger generation's minds.

She also emphasized that culture is the soul of our societies and that it should be central to our efforts for sustainable development.

At this juncture, as UNESCO prepares the next Program and Budget, the President recalled that there was a delicate balance to strike. UNESCO must meet the growing demands for interventions in conflict and post-conflict regions, while maintaining its robust standard-setting, capacity-building functions, and continuing to be a catalyst for international cooperation. This must go hand in hand with sustaining our unyielding commitment to global priorities - Africa and Gender parity.