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

VISITE DE S. EXC. M. DIDJOB DIVUNGI DI NDINGE, VICE-PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE
GABONAISE
VISIT OF H.E. MR DIDJOB DIVUNGI DI NDINGE, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF GABON
VISITA DEL EXCMO. SR. DIDJOB DIVUNGI DI NDINGE, VICEPRESIDENTE DE
LA REPÚBLICA GABONESA
ВИЗИТ ЕГО ПРЕВОСХОДИТЕЛЬСТВА Г-НА ДИДЖОБА ДИВУНГИ ДИ НДИНГЕ,
ВИЦЕ-ПРЕЗИДЕНТА РЕСПУБЛИКИ ГАБОН
(The Vice-President of Gabon enters the hall and is escorted to the rostrum)
1.1 The PRESIDENT:
Ladies and gentlemen, I declare open the eleventh plenary meeting of the 30th session of the General
Conference. I now have the privilege and pleasure of welcoming to this assembly of UNESCO Member States
His Excellency the Vice-President of Gabon and Madam Didjob Divungi di Ndinge.
1.2 Mr Vice-President, Mr Chairperson of the Executive Board, Mr Director-General, distinguished
delegates, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is with pleasure that I welcome to this 30th session of the
General Conference His Excellency the Vice-President of the Republic of Gabon. Mr Vice-President, we are all
aware of and grateful for the tremendous contributions of your country to the work of UNESCO. Whether it be in
Gabon’s membership on the Executive Board, as the current Chairperson of the Africa Group or as Chairperson
of the Nominations Committee at this Conference, the support of Gabon for the Organization’s principles and
programmes has been unfaltering. I myself had occasion to observe this when representing my country on the
Executive Board. On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank you and His Excellency President Omar
Bongo whom you represent here today.
1.3 In many of its actions, Gabon clearly reflects those things which are of import to our Organization. I
read recently of a project that is being carried out in close cooperation with UNESCO for the preservation of
Impassa-Mingouli. This great primeval forest in the Ivindo River basin, which has extraordinary animal and
floral biodiversity and is one of nature’s beauties, was endangered by intense logging activities. Gabon is now
actively fighting to save this forest in order to preserve it for future generations. I think we would all agree that it
is always refreshing to see a country shoulder its responsibility for preserving its natural environment for future
generations despite short-term economic considerations.
1.4 Mr Vice-President, I cannot end this short address without making some small allusion to the
contributions of Gabon to the international community. At a time when the region of Africa in which it is situated
has been and continues to be prey to various conflicts, Gabon acts as one of the linchpins of stability. The
magnanimity of the country and its people towards those in need far exceeds the geographic size of the country.
The solidarity of the country with its neighbouring populations, notably refugees fleeing homelands that are
plagued by bitter fighting, is exemplary. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank you and your country for
your efforts in this respect.
1.5 Mr Vice-President, may I say once more what a pleasure and honour it is to welcome you here today. I
hope that this visit will serve to strengthen the bonds that link Gabon to UNESCO and to the international
community at large. May the collaboration which UNESCO enjoys with your great country continue to grow and
remain fruitful. I thank you, Mr Vice-President.
(Applause)
1.6 I now give the floor to the Chairperson of the Executive Board, Mr Chetsanga.
2.1 Mr CHETSANGA (Zimbabwe), Chairperson of the Executive Board:
Mr Vice-President of the Gabonese Republic, Madam President of the General Conference,
Mr Director-General, distinguished delegates, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great privilege and
honour for me to welcome, on behalf of the Executive Board, His Excellency Mr Didjob Divungi di Ndinge,
Vice-President of the Gabonese Republic. The Executive Board of UNESCO, of which your country is a
member, feels highly honoured by your presence.
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