On invitation of the President of the Republic of Guinea, General Lansana Conté and of the President of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, Mr. Charles Gydue Bryant, the Director General of UNESCO, officially visited Guinea and Liberia from the 25th to the 26th of November 2004 and from the 26th to the 27th of November 2004 respectively.

Republic of Guinea (25th to 26th of November, 2004)

During his stay in Guinea, the Director General was received by the President of the Republic of Guinea, General Lansana Conté. The two men expressed their satisfaction with on-going cooperation between Guinea and UNESCO as well as their commitment to work towards its reinforcement. A number of issues were tabled for discussion during the encounter namely: education for all, the lack of teachers, as well as HIV/ AIDS prevention.

Mr. Matsuura also held discussions with Mr. Aboubacar Somparé, President of the Guinean Parliament, as well as other top members of the Guinean government namely those in charge of education, scientific research, tourism, hotels, arts and crafts. He later met with the depositor of the Sosso Bala traditional Balafon, an instrument proclaimed by UNESCO as a masterpiece of intangible heritage in 2001, and then visited a community primary school, fruit of Japanese cooperation, located in the Enta Sud Fassa Neighbourhood within the Matoto Community.

Before leaving Guinea, the Director General met with the Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in Guinea and with different field representatives of UN agencies posted in Guinea.

Republic of Liberia (26th to 27th of November, 2004)

During his visit to Liberia, the Director General was received by President Charles Gydue Bryant of Liberia. The two men expressed their satisfaction with relations between Liberia and UNESCO, especially at a time when Liberia is striving to normalcy after years of conflict. They expressed their willingness to strengthen existing ties particularly in the field of education, which is seen as a crucial factor in the establishment of democratic culture and pacific dialogue among different communities of Liberia.

Mr. Matsuura also met Mr. Wesley M. Johnson, Vice President of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, the Minister of Education Mrs. Evelyn Kandakai as well as the President of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly, who praised the setting up of the African Forum of Parliamentarian for Education, considered as a precious mechanism in tackling education problems of the continent.

The Director General held discussions with Mr. Jacques Klein, Special Representative of the Secretary General to Liberia and Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and met with different coordinators of the United Nations agencies based in Liberia.