News
UNESCO Director-General on Official Visit to the Principality of Monaco
On the occasion of her official visit to the Principality of Monaco, 21 March 2013, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, met with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and HRH Princess of Hanover, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the education of girls and women in Africa, in the presence of Her Excellency Ms Yvette Lambin-Berti, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Monaco to UNESCO.
The Sovereign Prince and the Director-General discussed various topics of common interest, including the preservation of world heritage, the protection of cultural property, particularly in post-conflict situations and in view of fighting the illicit trafficking of cultural objects, as well as the challenges of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
Recalling the deep attachment of the Principality to issues related to sustainable development, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco referred to the importance of peace education, underlining the need for the equitable management of water resources.
After the bilateral meeting, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco awarded the Director-General with the distinction of Officer in the Order of Cultural Merit in the presence of HRH Princess of Hanover.
The visit included the participation of Irina Bokova as guest of honor at the 7th International Monaco and the Mediterranean Symposium (RIMM), held at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
The Symposium was opened by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and highlighted the importance of building regional solidarity to deal with energy challenges and to ensure sustainable development.
The discussions addressed also the importance of fire in ancient myths and monotheistic religions, moving to global warming and the risks of volcanic eruptions and desertification, as well as the energy crisis.
In addition to Ms Elisabeth Breaud, President of RIMM and the Director-General of UNESCO, participants included Mr. Fatallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Professor Yves Coppens, paleoanthropologist, Professor at the National Museum of Natural History and member of the Coll猫ge de France, and Mr. Mounir Bouchenaki, Honorary President of RIMM.
