04 January 2003 00:00
SPEECH BY RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IGOR IVANOV AT GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR UNESCO, DECEMBER 25, 2002
1-04-01-2003
Esteemed colleagues and friends,
First of all, I would like to greet and congratulate all the participants of the present meeting on the jubilee of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.
In the ten years of its existence the Commission has kept up and increased the traditions of fruitful cooperation by our country with this major international organization. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express gratitude to all the Commission members and staff for the big and useful work which is not only our contribution to international intellectual cooperation, but also real support of national science, education and culture.
It is of basic importance that in its activities the Commission has invariably relied on our scientific and creative intellectuals, and actively used the potential of public organizations. And this is profoundly natural, for UNESCO traditionally enjoys great prestige and popularity in our country.
UNESCO is the sole organization of the UN system which works out and applies universal ethical and legal standards, guided by its original high mission of maintaining and strengthening peace through the upbringing and education of people in the spirit of mutual respect, dialogue and solidarity.
This noble mission of UNESCO is particularly called for at this stage of development of human civilization. Today all international organizations and institutions undergo a serious test in the face of the new threats and challenges brought on by the era of globalization. UNESCO is also called upon within its competence to give answers to these challenges.
The relevance of the mandate of UNESCO in the contemporary world lies in the fact that it is precisely in its spheres of activity - science, education, culture - that ways should be sought for eliminating the deep going reasons of many problems and conflicts.
In particular, the intellectual and moral potential which UNESCO has in its possession permits it to make a contribution to the elaboration of a long-term international strategy for combating terrorism. Last year's resolution by the General Conference of UNESCO, which contained an appeal for international cooperation to prevent and eradicate acts of terrorism, had a useful significance for the mobilization of the international public in support of the global antiterrorist coalition.
We as the sincere friends of UNESCO cannot but be gladdened by the fact that in the context of present-day circumstances, the Organization keeps bolstering its prestige in the world. A testimony to this is the recent declaration by the US President of an intention to return to UNESCO. We have always stood for restoration of the universality of the Organization and therefore welcome this decision of the United States.
Unquestionably, it has also been helpful in increasing the prestige of UNESCO, its pursuit of internal reforms lately in order to enhance the effectiveness of its program activities.
Cooperation with UNESCO has traditionally been and continues to be in the field of attention of the leadership of our country. The last decade was not the easiest for Russia, but still the resources were found to pay our outstanding regular budget contributions to the Organization and to the related World Heritage Fund. Also helpful in consolidating the positions of Russia in UNESCO was undoubtedly the visit to the Headquarters of the Organization by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. As is known, one of the results of this visit was the important agreement reached whereby UNESCO is to participate in restoring the education system in the Chechen Republic.
A feature of cooperation by Russia with UNESCO has always been the combination of our contribution to the activities of the Organization with the receipt of its support for national institutions of education, science and culture. This two-pronged focus of our cooperation should be maintained in the future as well. It is important not only to ensure the full-scale entry of Russia into the intellectual and cultural space of the contemporary world, but also for us ourselves to exert a positive influence on it via the dissemination of the experience and values of the Russian higher school, of the achievements of national science and of the best specimens of our culture.
We should not forget that Russia is one of the spiritual and cultural mainstays of world civilization.
On the other hand, within the framework of cooperation with the Organization we have the real opportunities for seeking the observance of the educational and cultural rights of our compatriots abroad and for maintaining and strengthening the positions and influence of the Russian language and of Russian culture generally.
We highly appreciate the fact that eminent Russian cultural personalities participate in the practical work of the Commission for UNESCO in these areas. We expect the Commission to continue to unite among its members the pick of the creative and scientific intellectuals of our country.
Meriting approval and support is the growing attention to the Commission's work on the part of entrepreneurial circles, the increasingly strong collaboration with the representatives of Russia's regions and of non-governmental organizations. Only on a broad social basis is it possible to assure the effectiveness of our cooperation with UNESCO.
The year that is drawing to a close has been very rich and fruitful for our foreign policy. That was the year of the 200th anniversary of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which we marked under the banner of a continuity in the best traditions of national diplomacy, to which belongs our cooperation with UNESCO as well. Paying a tribute of respect to the whole array of well known figures, members of the Commission who have made an important contribution to developing this cooperation, the Collegium of the Ministry has decided to award them the 200 Years of Russian MFA Badge.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate all those present with the upcoming New Year and to wish you well-being and success in your work and in all of your undertakings.
Thank you for your attention.
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