UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

20.8 Regarding Major Programme II, The sciences in the service of development, Indonesia, as a participant
and a member of both UNESCO and the International Council for Science (ICSU) in the recent World
Conference on Science, agreed with the Conference Declaration. As a follow-up to the World Conference, the
Government of Indonesia held in September 1999 the seventh Indonesian Science Congress, which was attended
by no fewer than 400 participants from Indonesian scientific organizations. On that occasion, the Indonesian
scientists stated their commitment to the Declaration and its implementation in accordance with Indonesian
conditions. I would also like to add that Indonesia has been involved in various UNESCO science and social
science programmes such as MOST and in the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005; its
activities were communicated to UNESCO in the government report in 1997.
20.9 Regarding Major Programme III, Cultural development: the heritage and creativity, Indonesia is
continuing to work on the results of the World Decade for Cultural Development, especially with regard to the
central role that culture should play in development. Indonesia fully agrees that implementation of the two
programmes of (a) preservation and enhancement of the cultural and natural heritage, and (b) promotion of living
cultures should have priority. On local languages and literature, Indonesia is carrying out research and
documentation, and is developing more than 500 local languages and literature. In addition, Indonesia cooperates
closely with Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam for the preservation of the Malay-Indonesian languages and
literature.
20.10 In the framework of promoting the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage, my delegation is pleased to inform this Conference that, in cooperation with UNESCO, Indonesia
organized promotional activities for the Borobudur and Prambanan temples in January 1999, and for the
Sangiran site in August 1999, as part of the world cultural heritage, namely by holding seminars and lectures, and
diffusing information in the form of leaflets and booklets. Also, Indonesia has cooperated with Cambodia in the
restoration of cultural heritage damaged by armed conflict. This programme is part of the restoration of Angkor
Wat in which Indonesia has assisted Cambodian personnel in both the planning system and technical restoration.
There are five sites in Indonesia which have been inscribed on the World Heritage List. Thirteen additional sites
have recently been proposed for inscription, including Lorentz National Park. Indonesia hopes that the
nomination of the Lorentz National Park will be approved in the upcoming World Heritage Committee meeting,
because this park will not only be the largest (2.5 million hectares) natural heritage area, ranging from mountains
(above 4,500 m) down to the coast, but is also notable for having the most extensive biodiversity in the region.
20.11 Finally, the Indonesian delegation expresses its full support for the activities in the field of anticipation
and future-oriented studies: the series of Twenty-first Century Talks, the Twenty-first Century Dialogues and the
publication of the forward-looking world report entitled The World Ahead: Our Future in the Making which
constitute major contributions to UNESCO’s ‘intellectual watch’ function which the Medium-Term Strategy
asked us to reinforce during the six-year period 1996-2001.
20.12 Madam President, in conclusion, I would like once more to take this opportunity to reiterate Indonesia’s
continuous support for the ideals of UNESCO. Thank you for your attention.”
21. The PRESIDENT:
Allow me to thank most sincerely Mr Bambang Soehendro, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate to
UNESCO, for presenting a much-appreciated statement on behalf of the Minister of Education and Culture of
Indonesia. We all hope that the situation in Indonesia will develop favourably and that the value of the cultural
heritage of the country will be recognized. I now ask His Excellency Mr Turhan Firat, Ambassador, Permanent
Delegate of Turkey to UNESCO, to take the floor.
22.1 Mr FIRAT (Turkey):
Madam President of the General Conference, Mr Chairperson of the Executive Board, Mr Director-
General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, allow me first of all to extend my warm congratulations to you,
Madam, on your election as President of the General Conference. We are confident that you will bring our
deliberations to a successful conclusion.
22.2 I would also like to thank the outgoing Director-General, Mr Federico Mayor. During his term of office,
UNESCO has faced great challenges, yet has been able to move ahead. I also wish to commend him for the Draft
Programme and Budget for 2000-2001. Presented in the new format, it meets the concerns, views and
suggestions of Member States over the past years.
22.3 Madam President, at the turn of the century and the threshold of the new millennium, we believe it is the
right time for reflection on the past and a time to contemplate the future of our Organization, even more so as we
enter the last phase of the Medium-Term Strategy.
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