Europe

Europe

UNESCO Director General issues statement on withholding of funds by the United States

03 November 2011 11:17 (UTC +04:00)

â€œIn this time of economic crisis and social transformation, I believe that UNESCOâ€™s vital work to promote global stability and democratic values is in Americaâ€™s core interests. The United States is a critical partner in UNESCOâ€™s work. The withholding of U.S. dues and other financial contributions â€“ required by U.S. law - will weaken UNESCOâ€™s effectiveness and undermine its ability to build free and open societies. U.S. funding helps UNESCO to develop and sustain free and competitive media in Iraq, Tunisia and Egypt. In Afghanistan, U.S. support is helping UNESCO to teach thousands of police officers to read and write. UNESCO literacy programmes in other areas of conflict give people the critical thinking skills and confidence they need to fight violent extremism. To sustain the democratic spirit of the Arab Spring, UNESCO is training journalists to cover elections objectively.

UNESCO is the only UN Agency with a mandate to promote Holocaust Education worldwide.

UNESCO is encouraged that the United States will maintain its membership in the Organization and hopes that a resolution to the funding issue will ultimately be identified. Until that happens, it will be impossible for us to maintain our current level of activity. So I call on the U.S. administration, Congress and the American people to find a way forward and continue support for UNESCO in these turbulent times.â€

US announced withholding of dues after Palestine was admitted to the UNESCO.