Public Diplomacy

On February 21, commencing at 9:20 a.m. local time (9:20 p.m. February 21 JST) for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Brazil to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude for the UNESCO's message of condolences and sympathies following the damage caused by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. She then stated that as the international community increasingly deepens its division, culture and education are the essential elements of "human dignity" and that UNESCO's role is becoming even more significant. Furthermore, referring to her own experience during the visit to Ukraine, she touched upon the importance of perspectives of women and children in supporting Ukraine's reconstruction, as well as the discussion at the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) session on the occasion of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction. Minister Kamikawa then stated that Japan is strongly committed to strengthening relations with UNESCO.
2. Director-General Azoulay expressed her appreciation for Japan's longstanding financial and personnel contributions, as well as its diplomatic efforts for the return of U.S. to UNESCO. In addition, expressing her appreciation to Japan’s recent assistance to Ukraine through UNESCO, Director-General Azoulay stated that she would like to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and UNESCO, including in the field of cultural heritage. Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan would continue to provide its maximum support to UNESCO in addition to its previous contributions.
3. Both sides concurred to continue working together on various issues at UNESCO including the protection of culture in conflict-affected areas.