27/2/2004
EU and UNESCO: closer co-operation in developing countries

European Commissioner for Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson and Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Marcio Barbosa this week signed an agreement designed to pave the way for a closer partnership between the two institutions in the field of education, science and culture.

The agreement signed this week will facilitate the implementation of programmes being financed by the European Commission, where UNESCO is the main implementing partner. The cooperation between the two organisations has constantly increased in recent years. In 2002 EC allocated € 4.66 million to development activities implemented by UNESCO. The majority of the co-financed actions concern education support to the developing countries.

The EC last year signed similar agreements with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).