On 7 April 2023, the 2023 Annual Meeting of UNESCO Partners in China was held in Beijing, China. Over 100 representatives from UNESCO Creative Cites, Learning Cities, Category II Centres and Chairs/UNITWIN networks in China, as well as other partners from private sectors participated in the meeting. Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations, and Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Beijing Office, delivered remarks via video. Mr. Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, attended the meeting and made a speech.
Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations
Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko expressed his appreciation to the Chinese National Commission for organizing the event and reiterated the importance of UNESCO partners in raising public awareness on the priority areas of the Organization’s work. He also highlighted the crucial part played by national commissions in mobilizing partners and noted that the Sector for Priority Africa and External Relations will continue to play the coordination role and further encourage the various stakeholders to better mobilize their common efforts and contribute to the objectives of the Organization.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Beijing Office
Prof. Shahbaz Khan introduced UNESCO Beijing Office’s partnerships with stakeholders, partners, and experts in China and thanked the Chinese National Commission for its liaison work. He expressed his aspiration to foster deeper connections with a diverse array of partners in the East Asia region, especially from China and called for collective wisdom and strengths of all stakeholders to forge a path toward greater harmony, innovation, and resilience for generations to come.
Mr. Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO
Mr. Qin Changwei applauded the active participation of UNESCO partners in China in deepening China-UNESCO cooperation. He called on the partners to resume on site activities and rebuild connections with UNESCO quickly. He also encouraged them to explore innovative ways to enhance exchanges and cooperation with UNESCO and its Member States around the world focusing on UNESCO’s medium-term strategy and global priorities. Ms. Cui Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, made a report to the meeting on the recent work of the National Commission.
The 2023 Annual Meeting of UNESCO Partners in China
UNESCO partners in China shared their practices in 2022 and work plan in 2023, and put forward their suggestions on further strengthening communication and cooperation with UNESCO under the guidance of the Chinese National Commission.