Malaysia has been elected to Unesco’s executive board for the 2015-2019 term, earning the highest votes among Asia-Pacific countries.
Malaysian National Commission for Unesco secretary-general Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman said Malaysia received 165 votes, followed by Vietnam (156), Sri Lanka (149), South Korea (137), Pakistan (135) and Iran (128).
“Unesco’s executive board comprised 58 elected members and 186 countries from a total of 195 member countries eligible to vote,” Mohd Khairul said in a statement here yesterday.
The result was announced during the 12th Plenary Meeting of the 38th General Conference on Wednesday in Paris.
Malaysia is no stranger to Unesco’s programmes and activities, having joined the organisation in 1958 and becoming a member of its executive board for several terms, the latest of which was from 2007 to 2011.
Malaysia, said Mohd Khairul Adib, was also elected to the Inter-Governmental Council (IGC) for Information For All Programmes (IFAP) under the organisation’s Communication and Information Commission.
Among others, IGC’s role is to check and assess achievements and to determine the basic areas needing improvement in international cooperation as well as supporting fund-raising efforts for IFAP.
Malaysia, said Mohd Khairul Adib, was also honoured to have Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur elected as Unesco’s new Science Commission chairman for the 2015-2017 term.
Dr Noorul Ainur previously served as the vice-president of the Asia-Pacific Region of the IGC for Unesco’s Management of Social Transformations Programme.
Meanwhile, on Facebook, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hailed Malaysia’s election as a recognition of the country’s progress in education, science and culture.
Najib said Malaysia, as a member of the executive board, hoped to be able to contribute more on the international stage.
“I see this as a recognition of our progress in education, science and culture and we hope to be able to contribute more on the international stage,” Najib added. — Bernama(The Star)
Link: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/11/13/Malaysia-elected-to-Unesco-board-Country-garners-highest-votes-among-AsiaPacific-countries-for-20152/
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