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World leaders and renowned artists celebrate UNESCO at 75
![Head of States](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_medium_desktop/public/2021-11/51675985975_0ccb0229bd_k.jpg?itok=9kNxIkcB)
26 heads of state and government and an impressive list of artists, singers and musicians from around the world celebrated UNESCO's 75th anniversary at a special ceremony on the 12th of November. The proceedings were opened by UNESCO's Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, . ()
Each world leader addressed the ceremony and their speeches were interspersed by a series of artistic performances by international singers and musicians.
- His Excellency Mr. Xavier Espot Zamora,
- Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina,
- His Excellency Mr. Zeljko Komsic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- His Excellency Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi,
- His Excellency Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré,
- His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni,
- His Excellency Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus
- His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d'Ivoire
- His Excellency Mr. Jean Castex,
- His Excellency Mr. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi,
- His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sanchez,
- His Excellency Mr. Alar Karis,
- His Excellency Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba,
- Her Excellency Ms. Salome Zourabichvili,
- His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo,
- His Excellency Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis,
- His Excellency Mr. Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau
- His Excellency Mr Guðni Th. Jóhannesson,
- His Excellency Mr George Weah,
- Her Excellency Ms Maia Sandu,
- His Excellency Mr Hage Geingob,
- His Excellency Mr Muhammadu Buhari,
- Her Excellency Ms Ana Brnabić,
- His Excellency Mr Borut Pahor,
- His Excellency Mr Ignazio Cassis,
- Her Excellency Ms Najla Bouden,
The performance of Afghan singer and women’s rights activist , who recently fled Afghanistan, is likely to be a poignant moment.
One of the world’s leading violinists, and an international prize-winning classical pianist, will also take to the stage.
The Arab, Latin, Balkanic, Indian and Jazz influences of the group, , will ring out at the event at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris.
Other highlights of the event include the Egyptian-born opera singer and the Palestinian musician, Issa Murad who plays a stringed instrument known as the oud.
, one of the world's greatest violinists, and , an Egyptian-born opera singer, took the stage. So did the fabulous duo , who combine jazz, classical and African music, and , whose Arab, Latin, Balkan, Indian and jazz influences resonated at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris for this special concert.
Other highlights included a moving performance by , an Afghan singer and women's rights activist who recently fled her country, and an outstanding performance by four-time Grammy Award winner from Benin.
Chinese pianist , one of the most talented classical musicians of our time, and internationally renowned cellist also took part in the celebration.
At the close of the ceremony, the nearby Eiffel Tower was illuminated with the UNESCO logo.