Archive - Press Releases

Archive - Press Releases (2002-2006)

24-01-2005Opening at UNESCO of International Conference on Biodiversity: Science and Governance
“Our generations are undoubtedly the last to have the ability to stop the destruction of the life around us,” declared French President Jacques Chirac today at the opening of the International Conference on Biodiversity: Science and Governance taking place at UNESCO Headquarters from January 24 to 28. Personalities participating include Marc Ravalomanana, President of Madagascar; Abdullah Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau; Wangari Maathai, Nobel peace prize winner and Vice-Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources of Kenya; and Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO. More

19-01-2005International Flood Initiative launched at World Conference on Disaster Reduction
A new inter-agency* initiative aimed at minimizing loss of life and reducing damage caused by floods was launched here today by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. The headquarters for the new project will be based at a planned Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (CHARM) hosted by the Public Works Research Institute in Tsukuba, Japan. More

14-01-2005International Conference on Biodiversity: Science and Governance
More than 1,000 researchers, political leaders and representatives of the private sector will meet, from January 24 to 28, at UNESCO Headquarters at an International Conference on Biodiversity: Science and Governance, which will seek to help stem the alarming rate of extinction of living species and destruction of their ecosystems. More

13-01-2005Director-General condemns assassination of Colombian radio journalist Julio Palacios
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the assassination of Colombian radio journalist Julio Palacios who was shot dead as he was heading to the Lemas radio station, where he hosted a news programme, in Cucuta in the northeast of Colombia on Tuesday. More

13-01-2005UNESCO plans global tsunami warning system for mid-2007
UNESCO is working towards the establishment of a global tsunami warning system that would be operational by June 2007, said UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura. Speaking at a press conference at the Mauritius International Meeting on Small Island Developing States on Wednesday, Mr Matsuura said that assessment missions are already being undertaken to concerned countries as a step towards the creation of the first regional component of the global system, in the Indian Ocean, foreseen for June 2006. More

10-01-2005UNESCO to announce global strategy for establishment of a tsunami early warning system
UNESCO Director-General, Koichiro Matsuura, will announce UNESCO’s Global Strategy for the Establishment of a Tsunami Early Warning System, including the one for the Indian Ocean, during the United Nations International Meeting on Small Island Developing States, which opened here today. More

07-01-2005Eight Nobel Prize laureates launch International Year of Physics at UNESCO
Over 1,000 participants, including eight Nobel Prize laureates, personalities from the world of science, and close to 500 students from 70 countries will take part in the Physics for Tomorrow conference at UNESCO on January 13-15. The event will mark the official launch of the International Year of Physics, proclaimed by the United Nations. Throughout 2005, events will be organized* across the world to debate physics and its implications. More

04-01-2005UNESCO stands ready to extend tsunami watch system to Indian Ocean
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura has welcomed proposals by several countries to help create a tsunami alert system for the Indian Ocean, similar to the one established by UNESCO to protect the countries of the Pacific. More

03-01-2005Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola named UNESCO Artist for Peace
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, will name the internationally renowned painter, Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola, UNESCO Artist for Peace, in a ceremony at Organization Headquarters on January 7 (12.30 p.m.). More

30-12-2004UNESCO offers tsunami assistance to countries in South Asia
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, has offered UNESCO’s support to the countries devastated by the earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the ensuing tsunami, and expressed his sorrow at the tragic loss of life in the region. More

28-12-2004OPEC and UNESCO create AIDS project for twelve countries in Asia and the Arab world
Paris, December 24 – UNESCO and OPEC FUND have concluded an agreement to create a two-year Project on Reducing the Impact of the HIV/AIDS Crisis in and through Education. It aims to help curb the rate of new HIV infections among young people in and out of school in 12 countries: three Arab states, three in Central Asia and six in southeast Asia (1). The OPEC Fund has undertaken to provide US$ 2,250,000 for the Project, which will focus on information and education, assistance to ministries, teaching programmes and curriculum enhancement. More

23-12-2004Successful completion of joint UNESCO/Japan project for preservation of Bamiyan (Afghanistan)
Cultural heritage conservation experts, representatives of the Afghan and Japanese governments as well as UNESCO, met in Tokyo from December 18 to 20 to review the successful completion of the two-year UNESCO/Japan Project for the Safeguarding of the Bamiyan Site whose Giant Buddhas were destroyed by the Taleban in March 2001. Emergency consolidation has been made possible by the project, which also allowed for much awaited finds concerning the age of the artefacts. More

23-12-2004First anniversary of the earthquake at World Heritage city of Bam (Iran)
The inscription of Bam and its Cultural Landscape, the ancient Silk Road landmark, on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and on the World Heritage List in Danger will be celebrated in a ceremony on December 27, marking the first anniversary of the earthquake that destroyed much of the site and killed more than 26,000 people. More

22-12-2004Renewal of funds-in-trust agreement in favour of technical and vocational education
The German government, represented by Peter Platte, Chargé d’affaires of the German Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and UNESCO, represented by Birgitte Møller, Director of the Division of Cooperation with Extrabudgetary Funding Sources, today signed the sixth agreement for funds-in-trust in favour of technical and vocational education and training (TVET). More

21-12-2004Director-General welcomes release of French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot
The Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura today welcomed the release of French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot 124 days after they were taken hostage on the road from Baghdad to Najaf. More

21-12-2004Director-General condemns the killing of Gambian journalist Deyda Hydara
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the killing on December 16 of Deyda Hydara, managing editor and co-owner of Gambia’ independent newspaper The Point, saluting his longstanding commitment in favour of freedom of the press. More

16-12-2004UNESCO Director-General welcomes release of two Laotian political prisoners
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today expressed satisfaction and pleasure over the release of Laotian political prisoners Latsami Khamphoui and Feng Sakchittaphong. The two men, for whose release UNESCO campaigned for many years, arrived with their families in France today and will be given medical care. More

16-12-2004New books and laboratory equipment en route for Iraq's universities
Four containers of laboratory equipment, along with supplies of up-to-date reference books and students textbooks are on their way to Iraq as part of an international effort to revitalize the country’s universities and its higher education system. The consignment has been organized by UNESCO and the International Fund for Higher Education in Iraq, initiated by the First Lady of Qatar, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Misnad, who is also a UNESC0 Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education. More

10-12-2004European coalition of cities against racism launched in Nuremberg
The European Coalition of Cities Against Racism was launched today in Nuremberg, at the Fourth European Conference of Cities for Human Rights* which brought together representatives from more than 140 cities. More

10-12-2004Tirana Summit commits to foster inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue
Tirana (Albania) - The regional Summit of Tirana1, organized at the initiative of the President of Albania, Alfred Moisiu, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, ended today with the adoption, by some 150 participants, including six Heads of State, of the Tirana Summit Declaration on Inter-Religious and Inter-Ethnic Dialogue in South-East Europe, in which the participants pledge to release themselves “from the disputes of the past […] by practicing a culture of dialogue”, within and among their countries. More

10-12-2004Vitit Muntarbhorn from Thailand wins 2004 UNESCO prize for Human Rights Education
Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura has named Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn of Thailand the winner of the 2004 UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education. More

08-12-2004Political will reaffirmed during MINEPS IV
Athens (Greece) – The Fourth International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Sport and Physical Education (MINEPS IV) closed today after having reaffirmed the will to overcome the last remaining differences concerning the Draft international convention against doping in sport. More

08-12-2004Sport prizes awarded by UNESCO and the International Committee for fair play
Athens (Greece) – Greek Olympic Champion Voula Patoulidou and New Zealand rugby player Tana Umaga are among the laureates of sports prizes awarded by UNESCO and by the International Committee for fair-play (CIFP) in Athens yesterday at the Fourth International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Sport and Physical Education (MINEPS IV). More

03-12-2004Director-General condemns murder of Philippines journalist Stephen Omais and voices alarm at escalating violence against the media
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the murder and torture of Philippines reporter Stephen Omais and voiced alarm at escalating violence against journalists in the Philippines. More

01-12-2004Director-General condemns assassination of Philippines journalist Allan Dizon
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the killing of photojournalist Allan Dizon in the city of Cebu (Philippines) on November 27, and called for active measures to bring his murderers to trial. More

30-11-2004Director-General welcomes release from jail of UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize laureate Raul Rivero
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today welcomed the release from prison of Cuban journalist Raúl Rivero Castañeda after 18 months in detention. More

30-11-2004MINEPS IV: A new step towards a convention against doping
Doping, physical education and women in sport are the main themes of the Fourth International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Sport and Physical Education (MINEPS IV) which will take place in Athens from December 6-8 at the invitation of the Greek Government. Participants from around 70 countries are expected to attend. More

26-11-2004UNESCO and GBC hold business forum on HIV/AIDS on World Aids Day
On December 1, representatives of several of the world’s leading multinational corporations will come together to discuss HIV/AIDS education and prevention programmes implemented by business. The Business Forum on HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention, co-organized by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC)* and UNESCO, will take place at UNESCO Headquarters (8.30 a.m. – 12.30, Room X). More

24-11-2004UNESCO and World Water Council launch water cooperation facility
An international mediating mechanism to help resolve problems over shared water resources will be launched by UNESCO, and the World Water Council (WWC), during a meeting at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft, The Netherlands, on November 25 and 26. More

23-11-2004Director-General condemns murder of Philippines journalists Gene Boyd Lumawag and Herson Hinolan voicing alarm at increase in casualities
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the shooting in the Philippines of Gene Boyd Lumawag, a photographer with the MindaNews news service on November 12 and of Herson Hinolan, manager and commentator of Bombo Radiyo radio station the next day. He also voiced concern over the lack of safety in which journalists carry out their work in many parts of the world. More

17-11-2004UNESCO and Microsoft sign cooperation agreement to help bridge the digital divide
Microsoft today joined the coalition of major private sector partners supporting UNESCO’s global strategy to draw on information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve education, social and economic development worldwide. The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, and Bill Gates, Microsoft’s Chairman and Chief Software Architect, signed a cooperation agreement at Organization Headquarters in the presence of Hans-Heinrich Wrede, Chairman of the Executive Board, and Ambassador Louise Oliver, Permanent Delegate of the United States of America to UNESCO. More

16-11-2004Human Rights Day 2004 a tribute to human rights educators
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO are dedicating Human Rights Day 2004 on 10 December to human rights education and encouraging other agencies and programmes of the United Nations System and relevant governmental and non-governmental actors to do the same. More

10-11-2004Change must be accelerated to achieve Education For All goals, concludes High-level Group Meeting
The pace of change is “insufficient” to achieve Education For All by the target date of 2015, concluded the High-Level Group on Education For All that today concluded its fourth meeting, which has been held in the Brazilian capital this week. More

10-11-2004Milu Villela designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Inclusive Education
UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura will appoint Maria Lourdes Egydio Villela (Milu Villela) as Goodwill Ambassador for Inclusive Education during a ceremony in the Brazilian capital today. More

09-11-2004INTEL, UNESCO to develop Guidelines for Worldwide Teacher Technology Training
Intel Corporation and UNESCO agreed today to collaborate on the development of a model curriculum or syllabus to improve the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in classrooms worldwide. More

08-11-2004Quality of Education insufficient to achieve Education For All by 2015
More children are going to school than ever before, but many drop out before grade 5 of primary school or graduate without mastering even a minimum set of cognitive skills, concludes the 2005 Education for All Global Monitoring Report launched today in Brasilia (Brazil). More

04-11-2004Director-General condemns murder of Dutch Filmmaker Theo Van Gogh
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura has condemned the murder, in Amsterdam on November 2, of journalist Theo van Gogh, who had directed approximately 20 documentary films. More

03-11-2004Director-General voices outrage at escalating attacks on Media Professionals in Iraq
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura today expressed outrage at the killing of an unprecedented number of journalists in Iraq over the past week and reiterated his grave concern over the heavy tribute paid by media professionals in Iraq. More

29-10-200419 new Biosphere Reserves added to UNECO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Network
Nineteen new sites in 13 countries have been added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now consists of 459 sites in 97 countries. One extension and one change in the borders of an existing biosphere reserves have also been approved, illustrating the vitality of the network to continuously improve existing sites. More

28-10-2004Director-General condemns assassination of Bangladeshi journalist Shahid Anwar
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the murder, on October 24, of Bangladeshi journalist Shahid Anwar, assistant editor of the Daily Asian Express, and voiced concern about the increasing frequency of such killings in the country. More

28-10-2004UNESCO-Italy agreement on emergency actions to protect heritage
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, Italian Culture Minister Giuliano Urbani, and Italy's Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to the Organization, Francesco Caruso, on Tuesday signed a Joint Declaration for the Safeguarding, Rehabilitation and Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage. Signed in the presence of Italy’s Undersecretary of Culture, Nicola Bono, it is the first cooperation agreement between UNESCO and one of its member states for emergency heritage operations. More

28-10-2004Director-General condemns murder of Belarus journalist Veronika Cherkasova
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the assassination of Veronika Cherkasova, a journalist for the independent Belarus newspaper Solidarnost, in Minsk on October 20. Mr Matsuura also voiced concern over reports of widespread attacks on freedom of the press in the country in recent months. More

21-10-2004Director-General condemns assassination of Philippines radio journalist Eldy Gabinales
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura condemned the murder on Tuesday of Philippines radio commentator Eldy Gabinales and reiterated his deep concern about the number of journalists killed in the country. More

19-10-2004Director-General condemns assassination of Iraqi TV journalist Dina Mohammed Hassan and news photographer Karam Hussein
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura condemned the murder of Dina Mohammed Hassan, a correspondent for Al-Hurriya TV, in Baghdad on Thursday October 14, and of the European Pressphoto Agency photographer Karam Hussein in Mosul on Friday. Mr Matsuura also voiced concern over the intolerable death-toll of media professionals in Iraq. More

14-10-2004Close of the 170th session of UNESCO's Executive Board
The 170th session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, chaired by Ambassador Hans-Heinrich Wrede (Germany), closed today following two weeks of debate devoted notably to UNESCO’s role in the Education for All programme and preliminary proposals for the Organization’s draft programme and budget for 2006-2007. The session “has been fruitful and indeed result-oriented,” said Ambassador Wrede. More

12-10-2004Taslima Nasrin, winner of the 2004 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence
Bangladeshi writer and journalist Taslima Nasrin is the laureate of the 2004 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. The Prize was attributed on the recommendation of an international jury, presided by Andrés Pastrana Arango, former President of Colombia, and endorsed by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. It will be awarded in a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters on November 16. More

07-10-2004Director-general condemns killing of Bangladeshi journalist Dipankar Chakrabarty
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today condemned the savage murder of Dipankar Chakrabarty, editor of the daily newspaper Durjoy Bangla, in Sherpur in the northwest of Bangladesh. More

04-10-2004Croatian actor Relja Basic named UNESCO Artist for Peace
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, will name the Croatian actor Relja Basic UNESCO Artist for Peace in a ceremony on October 6 at Organization Headquarters (Hall Ségur, 7 p.m.). The event will be followed by the opening of an exhibition on Croatian sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. More

04-10-2004Opening of the 170th session of the Executive Board
The plenary meetings of the 170th session of UNESCO’s Executive Board began today with opening addresses from Board Chairman, Ambassador Hans-Heinrich Wrede, and UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. More

23-09-2004Director-General condemns murder of Dominican journalist, Juan Andujar
UNESCO Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, today condemned the murder in Azua (Dominican Republic) on September 14 of Juan Andújar, a correspondent with the Santo-Domingo-based daily Listín Diario. The journalist was gunned down just after he had completed a radio broadcast on the crime wave that has shaken the town of Azua, in the south of the country. More

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Archive - Press Releases (2002-2006)

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