The 7th interregional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO took place from February 22 to 25, 2021, to consult on the operational involvement of National Commissions for UNESCO and their national networks to contribute to the ongoing elaboration process of the next Draft Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029 (41 C/4) and the Draft Program and Budget for 2022-2025 (41 C/5) of UNESCO. The host for this year’s meeting was the Swiss National Commission for UNESCO.
Asia – Pacific consultations took place on Tuesday, 23 February 2021 moderated by Dr. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte, Secretary-General, Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO and Chaired by the Secretary-General Mr. Nicolas Mathieu the Swiss National Commission for UNESCO. The Rapporteur was Mr. Mohamad Sanusi Karim Secretary-General of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO.
The Secretaries-General and Deputy Secretaries-General of the National Commissions for UNESCO of 33 National Commissions for UNESCO took part in the Asia-Pacific consultations. Mr. Dov Lynch, Chief of Section for Relations with Member States, UNESCO also participated in the consultations.
Dr. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte, Secretary-General, Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, during the consultations stressed the need for increased partnership through the National Commission for UNESCO network and the securing of external funding.
Some of the overall key recommendations from the National Commission for UNESCO consultations were the following:
- Strengthen multilateralism and partnerships with relevant stakeholders, such as youth and civil society, through strategic positioning of National Commissions as key national coordinators.
- Empower the National Commissions as principal agents of change at the national level, accelerating UNESCO’s response to global challenges.
- Involve National Commissions in the implementation and assessment of the Organization’s programs, using a human rights-based approach.
