Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has secured a position at the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the term 2023-2027, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The election took place during the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO held in Paris this week (Nov 15).
During the election, Sri Lanka garnered 144 votes out of 188 member states participating, securing the third-highest vote count in the region, alongside Bangladesh.
Out of the nine candidates from the Asia-Pacific Region, six were elected to the UNESCO Executive Board, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, and Australia. Sri Lanka had previously served on the Executive Board from 2015 to 2019.
UNESCO plays a crucial role in promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information, contributing to peace, security, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
Sri Lanka’s membership in UNESCO since 1949 underscores the country’s steadfast commitment to the organisation’s values and principles, fostering collaboration among nations through education, science, and culture while promoting universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms.
Throughout its history with UNESCO, Sri Lanka has actively contributed to advancing the organisation’s mandate. The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, serves as the government arm for implementing UNESCO’s Agenda in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Paris and the Ministry of Education (National focal point), expressed satisfaction in leading the successful effort to secure Sri Lanka’s election to the UNESCO Executive Board.
The Foreign Ministry highlighted the noteworthy achievement that, in recent months, Sri Lanka has consecutively secured positions in three UN bodies/committees: the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW), and the UNESCO Executive Board.
