UNESCO pledges support for
AU institutions
UNESCO director general Koichiro Matsuura has indicated a willingness
for close collaboration with the African Union (AU), following discussions
with AU Commission interim chairman Amara Essy on the sidelines of the
Conference of African Education Ministers (MINEDAF
VIII) holding here.
Briefing PANA just before leaving for Burundi where he starts an official
visit Wednesday, Matsuura said UNESCO had responded positively to an
AU demand for assistance to efforts at setting the institutions of the
new continental body, notably its Economic, Social and Cultural Commission.
"UNESCO will establish close links with the New Partnership for
Africa's Development (NEPAD) on the one hand, and with the AU on the
other, because this is absolutely necessary," he affirmed.
Matsuura said NEPAD, which incorporates the fields of education, science
and culture "was a fresh start and a historical landmark that must
succeed," adding that he was ready to support the initiative.
In reaction to Essy's appeal for better coordination among organisations
working in the education sector in Africa, the UNESCO executive agreed
that there was a need to establish "a very close and constant link
between NEPAD, AU and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)."
Earlier Tuesday at the opening of the MINEDAF VIII, Amara Essy enjoined
all strategic actors promoting education in Africa to seal a partnership
for the development of the sector with a view to avoiding "a dispersal
of resources."
Dar Es-Salaam - 04/12/2002
PANA Correspondent
