15-24 May 2023, Paris, France — Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate of the Philippines to UNESCO H.E. Junever M. Mahilum-West delivered the Philippine statement during the Opening Plenary of the 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Board calling on the organization to re-examine its strategic direction to ensure that programmes remain faithful to its mandate, and are products of the efficient use of the organization’s limited resources. She likewise set Philippine priorities for the nine-day session, particularly the revision of UNESCO’s financial rules and regulations, support for learning cities and lifelong initiatives and promotion of creative cities, among others.
As the Philippines await favorable consideration of its nominations to the heritage list this year, the Ambassador remarked that, “[w]e find it crucial to invest in more programmes aimed at preserving our intangible cultural heritage, the roots of our identity and representation of our valued history..” and “[w]e support projects for World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks geared at generating more studies and research on mitigating the impact of climate change.”
Meanwhile, UNESCO National Commission (UNACOM) Secretary-General Dr. Ivan Henares delivered interventions in support of several items in the Executive Board agenda covering issues on racial discrimination/racial hatred, global/regional coordination for SDG4, safety of journalists, standard-setting instrument for neurotechnology and culture and arts education.
The Philippines is a member of the 58-member UNESCO Executive Board until 2025. END
