UNESCO Director-General to visit Sri Lanka next week

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay will visit Sri Lanka from July 16-19, 2024, at the invitation of the government of Sri Lanka, the Foreign Affairs Ministry releasing a statement to the media yesterday said.
Azoulay, who is currently on her second mandate as Director-General of UNESCO, has launched numerous projects on the protection of cultural heritage, notably the ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’ initiative in Iraq.
Azoulay has been a strong vocal advocate for the achievement of universal quality education, particular for women and girls and in reshaping UNESCO’s role as a global laboratory of ideas on issues such as sustainable development and ethics of artificial intelligence.
The statement by the Foreign Ministry shared that during the three-day visit, Azoulay would call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and would have meetings with Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and Foreign Affairs Acting Minister Tharaka Balasuriya.
She will also take part in the 75th anniversary celebrations of Sri Lanka’s Membership with UNESCO, at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre and travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, during her stay in the country.
UNESCO currently recognises eight culturally and naturally significant sites in Sri Lanka, protecting them legally through an international convention administered by UNESCO.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka include the sacred city of Anuradhapura, ancient city of Polonnaruwa, ancient city of Sigiriya, sacred city of Kandy, Galle fort, Rangiri Dambulla temple, Sinharaja forest reserves and the central highlands of Sri Lanka, all of which are top tourist attractions in the island nation. (NS)