Selaković: Cooperation with UNESCO is an important part of the fight to protect our interests

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selaković greeted the participants of the 11th session of the Commission of the Republic of Serbia for Cooperation with UNESCO, emphasizing that successful cooperation with that UN organization is very important for Serbia from the aspect of protecting its state and national interests.

Minister Selaković said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to provide full support to the work of the Commission, and stressed the importance of coordinated and synchronized actions of state institutions and authorities towards UNESCO.

Minister Selaković informed the members of the Commission about the challenges that our country may face in the upcoming period, especially when it comes to the ambitions of the temporary institutions of self-government in Priština regarding UNESCO.

Minister Selaković emphasized that UNESCO has an increasingly serious role in the field of environmental protection, to which Serbia is paying increasing attention, and that it is necessary to affirm this aspect of cooperation in the best way through the work of the Commission.

Minister Selaković stated that Serbia has intensified cooperation with UNESCO in the past period, and he expressed special satisfaction with the election of our ambassador Tamara Rastovac Siamashvili as the Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board.

Minister Selaković wished the members of the Commission, which consists of delegated representatives of a large number of state authorities and institutions, to be ambassadors of our state and national interests in foreign contacts at every opportunity.

Commission of the Republic of Serbia for Cooperation with UNESCO was established by the Government decision in 2007 as an advisory body, in accordance with Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution which stipulates that the Member States shall establish national commissions for the development and coordination of cooperation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia provides professional and administrative-technical support to the Commission.

By the Government Decision from 23 April 2015, Prof. Dr. Goran Milašinović was appointed President of the Commission. He is a Professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Belgrade and the Director of the Pacemaker Centre of the University Clinical Centre of Serbia.

In terms of its role and specific duties, the Commission connects various stakeholders at the national, regional and international level who are interested in implementing the UNESCO mandate, it cooperates with the UNESCO Secretariat, the Regional Office in Venice and the Antenna Office in Sarajevo, it coordinates actions of multiple networks in Serbia, it circulates relevant information and ensures that the Republic of Serbia fulfils its obligations towards UNESCO.

In its advisory role, the Commission, among other issues, takes part in putting forward national nominees and candidates for various open competitions and scholarships, it drafts national reports, it marks important international days and years, it formulates proposals for the Participation Programme and anniversaries relating to UNESCO. The Commission is also authorised to provide patronage for various activities and projects in Serbia, and to attend statutory and other UNESCO meetings and sessions.