"Lithuania will seek effective implementation of UNESCO's long-term priorities, among which most attention will be given to the safety of journalists and impunity of crimes against them, the Ukrainian and Crimean issues, protection of human rights, freedom of expression and ensuring of equal opportunities. We also need to actively contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 in UNESCO's fields of competence by promoting the diversity of cultural expressions and strengthening the protection of cultural heritage, especially in conflict-affected areas"– says the Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius.
The agenda of the UNESCO's Executive Board, its committees and commissions is very broad, including the competencies of the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The coordinator's functions in this UNESCO's governing body will be assigned to the Secretariat of the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO.
"Guidelines for coordination of activities in the Executive Board of UNESCO is an excellent example of Lithuanian inter-institutional cooperation in international organizations,"– stresses the Minister.
During the period of independence, Lithuania has been elected member of the UNESCO's Executive Board and Vice-Chair of the Executive Board already for the third time (was elected as member in the years 1997-2001 and 2005-2009 and in the periods 1999-2001 and 2007-2009 was elected as Vice-Chair).
Today, the 199th session of the UNESCO's Executive Board begins in Paris, which will take place from 4 to 15 April and will discuss the issues of progress in the implementation of the decisions taken during the previous UNESCO's Executive Board and General Conference sessions concerning the Autonomous Crimean Republic and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), the occupied Palestina and the educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Arab territories.
The session will also discuss the UNESCO's role in the promotion of cultural protection and cultural pluralism in armed conflict as well as possible assistance to Syria in restoring the world heritage sites in Palmyra and other issues.
