20 April 2015 – Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Delegate Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivered a statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China at the Plenary of the 196th session of the UNESCO Executive Board (EB) on April 14 at UNESCO Headquarters, in her capacity as Chair of the Paris Chapter of the G77 and China.
In her statement, Ambassador Lazaro conveyed the G77 and China’s support for UNESCO’s important work across all its sectors. “More than ever, the demands on UNESCO are increasing as we witness the rise of violent extremism and conflicts, widening inequalities, and global challenges such as natural disasters and climate change,” she stated.
The statement encouraged Member States to adopt a constructive and forward-looking approach to strengthen the institution and improve UNESCO’s efficiency in light of the budgetary challenges faced by the organization. END