DG/2005/133 Original: English/French UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the occasion of the Information Meeting for Delegates on Reconstruction and Reconciliation in the Middle East UNESCO, 9 September 2005
DG/2005/133 Let me begin by thanking you for attending today s information meeting on UNESCO s action in favour of reconstruction and reconciliation in the Middle East. I feel much encouraged by the presence of so many delegations as it shows your continuous interest in and support of UNESCO s work in this field. It is also, I believe, a clear manifestation of the spirit of cooperation between Member States and the Secretariat that has guided UNESCO s action regarding the Middle East since the 32nd session of the General Conference. That spirit has allowed us to achieve, together, a number of significant results. And it is in that spirit that we are meeting today: to take stock and to reflect on future prospects connected with our efforts aimed at promoting peace, development and reconciliation in the Middle East. First of all, let us recognize that it is a timely and important moment to give renewed attention to this region. It is imperative that we take account of new situations and ongoing developments on the ground. In line with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the entire United Nations system, UNESCO regards the recent disengagement from the Gaza Strip and part of the northern West Bank as a chance to revitalize the Road Map, which continues to be the best available framework for building a sustainable peace process in the region. At this time, there is an opportunity to restore the Road Map s relevance and to invest it with renewed energy and purpose. While recognizing the opportunities, I have not lost sight of the challenges that lay before us. At this critical juncture, it is clear that the Palestinian Territories, especially but not only those parts which have experienced disengagement, face many urgent and serious problems. It is an unprecedented situation, one that cries out for effective solutions. Last week, the Joint UNESCO/Palestinian Authority Committee met here at UNESCO Headquarters. Its main focus was on drawing up an action plan containing concrete short-term and longer-term priorities, in our fields of competence, for the recovery and development of those geographical areas affected by the disengagement. UNESCO is called upon to respond in such a way that its assistance is attuned to existing and emerging needs. We must also remain aware of the persisting needs in those areas within the Palestinian Territories not directly affected by the disengagement. Indeed, besides the disengagement, we have to take account of other significant developments in the region, in particular the Palestinian people s commitment to pursue their goals through democratic means. The successful holding of the recent municipal elections is heartening and represents an encouraging sign for the future of the democratic process in the Palestinian Territories. Finally, our task equally consists in supporting those groups and individuals committed to Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, so as to advance mutual understanding and respect as building blocks of peace.
DG/2005/133 page 2 During the present biennium, our cooperation in these areas has enjoyed many constructive developments: we have thus been able to generate a renewed positive momentum for UNESCO s action in the Middle East, as called for by the General Conference at its 32nd session. As a matter of fact, I consider the positive impetus given by 32 C/Resolution 54 concerning educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Arab territories, as well as 32 C/Resolution 39 concerning Jerusalem, as a key factor of this success. Let me point to some concrete examples of what has been achieved. First, both resolutions called for intensified efforts by UNESCO based on focused areas where we can make a difference, that is, our fields of competence. In turn, recommendations concentrated on what we can effectively do, for example, the provision of capacity-building and technical assistance to help improve the status and services of Palestinian educational and cultural institutions. Both resolutions also called for special attention to be paid to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, including the World Heritage Site of the Old City of Jerusalem. Thanks to this focused technical approach, we have been able to concentrate our efforts on strengthening our capacity to deliver. In turn, we are beginning to witness real progress and impact on the ground, and this is day-by-day enhancing our relevance and credibility both as an honest broker and as a technical agency. Second, both resolutions put stakeholders ownership at the heart of our action. For example, 32 C/Resolution 54 called for the revitalization of the Joint UNESCO/Palestinian Authority Committee, as a tool to ensure closer consultations between the Palestinian authorities and UNESCO in identifying cooperation priorities and monitoring the implementation of assistance. The revitalization of the Joint Committee, in conjunction with yearly high-level consultations on the ground conducted on my behalf by Deputy Director-General Marcio Barbosa as well as the strengthening of our office in Ramallah, have created the conditions for an in-depth dialogue between the Palestinian authorities and UNESCO. In this process, the Palestinians are in the driver s seat in defining shared priorities, notably in the fields of education, culture, environment and media development. As a result, in July 2004, the sixth meeting of the Joint Committee validated a UNESCO Programme of Assistance for Rehabilitation and Development in the Palestinian Territories, as well as a series of concrete priority projects to be developed. You will find, in this room, a brochure presenting the Programme of Assistance as well as separate sheets describing those priority projects now ready for implementation. In addition, you will find a useful handout that gives concrete examples of how the Programme s strategic objectives are being pursued on the ground. Another positive outcome of this approach is the inclusion of key aspects of UNESCO s assistance within the strategic priorities of the Palestinian Mid-Term Strategy for Rehabilitation and Development (2005-2007). Third, the General Conference recognized the importance of giving balanced attention to reconstruction and dialogue efforts, as promoted by the Task Force for Reconstruction and Reconciliation, which I established within the Secretariat in 2003. This dual approach has allowed us to contribute in separate, yet complementary, ways towards the goals envisioned in the Road Map, namely, two States living side by side, in a context of a comprehensive and just peace in the region.
DG/2005/133 page 3 The consensus of the 32nd session of the General Conference on these key guiding elements was a precious achievement and one that we all should nurture with great care. This consensus opened the door for intensified action by UNESCO in the Middle East. Let me now mention a few examples of what has been achieved in favour of reconstruction and development in the Palestinian Territories. These examples illustrate the three overarching strategic objectives of the UNESCO Programme of Assistance, approved by the Joint UNESCO/PA Committee, namely: (1) the delivery of emergency assistance to affected institutions and sectors; (2) the provision of institutional capacity-building and policy advice; and (3) support to professional groups and civil society to engage in the knowledge society. Emergency assistance has been focused on improving Palestinians access to education and culture. In the field of education, UNESCO remained committed to support UNRWA s educational services and programmes for the benefit of young Palestinian refugees. The special assignment of a senior UNESCO professional to the position of Director of UNRWA s education department is a sign of the priority we are giving to the populations most affected and in need. Furthermore, as access to education for isolated and marginalized communities in the Palestinian Territories became an issue of increased concern during the past two years, special support was given to NGO programmes aimed at non-formal education for children affected by such situations. In the field of culture, we gave particular attention to the status of conservation of cultural heritage monuments and sites at risk. Technical assessment missions were conducted both in Nablus and Hebron, and, in the case of Nablus, a comprehensive restoration of the Khan Al-Wakala Caravanserail was initiated. Our efforts in the area of institutional capacity-building and policy advice recognize the fundamental role of the Palestinian Authority in policy-making and service delivery for the benefit of the Palestinian people. We seek to strengthen the Palestinian Authority s capacities, within UNESCO s fields of competence, to fully assume its responsibilities. In this sense, a very significant achievement is the finalization of the first Inventory of Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites of Potential Outstanding Value in Palestine, with technical assistance from UNESCO. The inventory consists of 20 sites that reflect the rich diversity of the cultural and natural heritage in the Palestinian Territories. The inventory will serve as a policy and planning tool for the safeguarding of this heritage. Furthermore, we have sought to ensure access to knowledge so as to break the intellectual isolation increasingly faced by many Palestinians. In the field of culture, we were proud to facilitate the revival of the Palestinian International Book Fair in Ramallah, organized jointly with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture. The book fair, held during this spring, was a chance to overcome isolation by creating public access to literature, knowledge and entertainment. Another important endeavour in this context is our continuous support in favour of the participation of Palestinian students and researchers in the global academic community, be it through scholarships, academic networking or institutional support, such as our assistance to the establishment of the Palestinian Women s Resource and Documentation Centre in Ramallah, the first of its kind. Finally, in the field of media development, we have assisted in the rehabilitation and modernization of WAFA the Palestinian News Agency. The success of this cooperation has laid the ground for providing advice to the Palestinian Authorities on legal and policy reforms related to freedom of expression.
DG/2005/133 page 4 As already mentioned, UNESCO considers Israeli-Palestinian dialogue towards reconciliation as a second equally essential pillar of its action in the Middle East, complementary to our efforts in favour of reconstruction and development in the Palestinian Territories. I envision our role in Israeli-Palestinian dialogue as one of facilitation. Our task is to encourage, provide technical assistance or simply offer our neutral aegis to groups and individuals from both sides genuinely committed to learning and acting together by engaging in a mutually benefiting dialogue in one of our fields of competence. In such situations, it is not only our role, it is our duty, to be by their side. Based on this approach, UNESCO has supported several dialogue initiatives during the present biennium. Priority has been given to technical dialogue, such as academic cooperation or dialogue between media professionals. Yesterday, UNESCO hosted a first Israeli-Palestinian NATCOM Dialogue Encounter, which made a most useful beginning to what promises to become a sustained and fruitful engagement. I am very pleased to report that agreement was reached to continue the consensual dialogue. The two National Commissions have agreed to meet again, along with other key partners, in February 2006, probably in Cyprus. This second encounter, to be cochaired by the two Secretaries-General, would seek to make progress in the formulation of a strategic framework directed towards promoting dialogue and reconciliation. The meeting would also consider concrete joint projects and activities. Work on developing the framework and the projects will be under way in the months ahead. Thus, I am greatly encouraged by this positive outcome of yesterday s encounter. Before opening the debate, allow me to draw your attention to one last matter of great importance: our efforts to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, a World Heritage Site. As you are aware, the General Conference at its 32nd session allowed us to relaunch this file, which is at the heart of our action in the Middle East. The spirit of openness and cooperation displayed by all the parties concerned has enabled us to advance towards the objectives set by the General Conference. As you know, our immediate priority, which is based on guidelines provided by the Committee of Experts, is to draw up an action plan aimed at safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem. I have therefore requested Francesco Bandarin, Director of the World Heritage Centre, to lead a technical mission to Jerusalem for that purpose. I am sure that this mission, which will arrive in Jerusalem tomorrow, will help to advance this important project in a well-coordinated and effective way. I also wish to express my appreciation for the $15 million financial contribution by Saudi Arabia for Palestinian fellowships. Such aid is crucial in view of the financial crisis currently affecting Palestinian higher education institutions. These fellowships will make it easier for Palestinian students to gain access to the universities in Gaza and the West Bank. UNESCO is delighted to have been asked to implement this project, for which the agreement will be signed officially next week in Jeddah by my representative, Ahmed Sayyad, Assistant Director-General for External Relations, and by Dr Saad, Adviser to the Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia and official in charge of the Saudi Committee for the Relief of Palestinian People (SCRPP). In conclusion, I should like to commend the generous and constructive spirit which has prevailed over the last two years within the Executive Board and the General Conference during the discussions on these questions. The spirit of consensus has enabled us to strengthen UNESCO s role in the Middle East. I wish to thank you all most sincerely, and I am confident you will
DG/2005/133 page 5 successfully ensure that this spirit continues to thrive in the months and years ahead. I would especially like to thank not only the parties directly concerned but also the donors specifically Italy, Norway and Japan who have displayed great generosity in their unceasing commitment to our efforts to further reconstruction and development in the Palestinian Territories and promote Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. Our satisfaction and our pride in what has been achieved should not blind us to the many challenges that lie ahead. I shall personally follow closely the Executive Board and General Conference debates on the Middle East. I earnestly look forward to a frank, fruitful and bold discussion that will continue to inspire and guide the Organization s action and foster hopes for prosperity and for a just and comprehensive peace throughout the Middle East. Thank you.