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Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba and Director-General Irina Bokova of UNESCO

February 16, 2012
Japanese

On Thursday, February 16, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba held a meeting with H.E. Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO during her visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister Gemba expressed his gratitude to Director-General Bokova for her visit to the Tohoku district affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake to participate in the handover ceremony of the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate to Hiraizumi, Iwate, and the "Launching Ceremony for the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention in Japan." At the same time, Minister Gemba expressed his wish that the final event to wrap up the 40th anniversary celebrations in the world to be held in Kyoto in November this year will be meaningful, and expressed his intention to cooperate with UNESCO for the event.
   
   
2. Director-General Bokova stated that she visited Japan out of her wish to express her solidarity with those affected by the disaster and stressed that Japan is the most important member for UNESCO and that Japan's contribution to UNESCO in terms of budget and projects is significant.
   
   
3. Further, Minister Gemba introduced the fact that Japan submitted nominations of two properties "Fujisan" and "Kamakura" for inscription on the World Heritage list and stated that he would continue expending all possible means for protection of Japan's heritage.
   
   
4. In addition, both sides exchanged opinions on the financial difficulties of UNESCO triggered by suspension of payment of contributions by the U.S. to UNESCO in the wake of Palestine's admission to UNESCO.
   
   
5. Minister Gemba expressed his gratitude to UNESCO for its decision to appoint Sen Genshitsu, former Urasenke Grand Master of the Way of Tea, as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

• ( The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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