SRI LANKA NOMINATES CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001402 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS AND IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UNESCO CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA NOMINATES CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD ¶1. The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Post via diplomatic note on October 1 that the Government of Sri Lanka has nominated Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha for election to the UNESCO Executive Board. A document outlining "Sri Lanka's Vision In and For UNESCO" was attached. The full text of both documents is below. Post will forward additional biographic information and curriculum vitae by fax to SCA/INS. ¶2. Begin text of diplomatic note: UN/UNESCO/E 07 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo and has the honour to inform that the Government of Sri Lanka has presented the candidature of the Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the elections to be held during the 34th Session of the UNESCO General Conference in October 2007. A curriculum vitae of the Hon. Minister is enclosed. The Government of Sri Lanka would greatly value and appreciate the support of your esteemed Government for its candidature to the Executive Board. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic Sri Lanka avails itself to this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo, the assurances of its highest consideration. Colombo, 1st October 2007 End Text. ¶3. Begin Text of Sri Lanka's Vision In and For UNESCO: Sri Lanka, through its nominee, Hon. Premajayantha, in the Executive Board, pledges to: Uphold UNESCO's constitutional mandate to build peace, the eradication of poverty, ensure sustainable development and intercultural dialogue, through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Bring to the forefront, quality education for all that includes education for peace and sustainable development. Promote UNESCO efforts at interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Work towards making the quality and relevance of UNESCO's fields of competence felt at national levels. Promote and strengthen a decentralized UNESCO, including the strengthening of the UNESCO's unique concept of National Commissions. Encourage policies to inspire UNESCO staff to motivate themselves to ensure enhanced delivery of services to Member States. Promote UN reforms to act as "one", to avoid duplication of resources and strengthen delivery in the service of Member States. Strengthen UNESCO's position as a standard setter and in providing evidence based policy research to Member States. Improve cooperation in research, development and sharing of best practices among Member States through South/South and North South cooperation. Strengthen intersectoral approaches, both at UNESCO and in the Member States, in the implementation of programmes related to UNESCO's field of competence. Encourage continued reforms within UNESCO, to best serve the interests of the Member States. COLOMBO 00001402 002 OF 002 Above all, through UNESCO, promote the respect for human dignity and right and respect for the environment, the cornerstones for building peace, the very "raison d'etre" of the organization. End Text. BLAKE