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

the various educational issues. In this connection, the Republic of Palau continues to seek alternative strategies to
implement a workable education master plan for our children, and it is our hope that our membership of
UNESCO will assist us in this process. As you may be aware, primary education has a relatively similar intent in
both small and large countries, but for countries with a small population and limited resources, the challenges in
education will certainly require innovative strategies in order to meet economic, social and political development
needs into the twenty-first century. The assistance and cooperation of regional and international organizations in
this endeavour will, I believe, play a major role in achieving the educational goals and objectives of developing
countries, particularly the small island States in the Pacific, which are greatly disadvantaged by their smallness,
geographical isolation and limited human and natural resources.
2.6 Madam President, in the area of science, the Republic of Palau, in partnership with Japan and the United
States, has recently embarked on a project to establish a brand new scientific research centre in Palau. Although
the coral reef research centre is still in its initial developmental phase, we are confident that it will provide
scientists and researchers with a state-of-the-art facility for research. This centre will employ modern scientific
and technological research methods in the area of coral reefs and marine populations. The centre will serve as a
laboratory where marine research, particularly on coral reef systems and marine organisms whose lives and
survival depend greatly on a fragile ecosystem, will be carried out. Using this research laboratory, marine
biologists will be able to find answers to the problem of repairing the much damaged coral reef systems
throughout the world’s oceans. Important research in the field of medicine can and will also be conducted in this
facility in the search for a cure to some of the deadliest diseases that this century has witnessed. We are honoured
to host this important research centre set up for the benefit of mankind, and would welcome assistance, input and
cooperation from UNESCO as well as from other organizations and Member States.
2.7 Madam President, as this is my government’s inaugural meeting of UNESCO, I have much to learn and
to report back to my home government, and therefore would not attempt to address any specific issue. I would,
however, like to reserve the right to address any relevant issues that may arise during the deliberations of the
Conference.
2.8 Finally, Madam President, may I take this opportunity on behalf of my government to express my
sincere gratitude to the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Federico Mayor, for his vision, dedication and
commitment and for carrying the UNESCO torch, still burning and strong after twelve long years. The Republic
of Palau salutes him and wishes him the very best of luck in his future endeavours. I would also like to extend my
congratulations and warm welcome to His Excellency Mr Matsuura on being nominated as the new Director-
General and to assure him of the Republic of Palau’s support, cooperation and commitment during his term of
office. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff of
UNESCO Headquarters here in Paris, and to the representative of UNESCO’s South Pacific Office in Apia,
Samoa, for their assistance in working intelligently to achieve our full membership of the UNESCO family.
Thank you very much for your attention.
3. The PRESIDENT:
Sir, I thank you very much for your inaugural speech as your country enters the UNESCO family. I am
absolutely sure that the membership of your country will be an asset to the Organization and I should like to ask
you to convey to your government and your President our congratulations and our pleasure in having you as a
Member. I am sure that your membership will also strengthen the position and the understanding of small island
States and of all small States in general, to the mutual advantage of your country and the Organization. I feel
honoured to have been here and to welcome you when Palau became a Member State. Thank you, Sir. This is
indeed a happy occasion.
ORGANISATION DES TRAVAUX (suite)
ORGANIZATION OF WORK (continued)
ORGANIZACIÓN DE LOS TRABAJOS (continuación)
ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ РАБОТЫ (продолжение)
4. The PRESIDENT:
I now wish to inform you about the fourth General Committee meeting held this morning. The General
Committee recommended that, during the plenary meeting this afternoon, the General Conference should
examine item 3.2 concerning the adoption of the provisional budget ceiling for 2000-2001. Are there any
objections to examining item 3.2 this afternoon? I see no objections. The recommendation of the General
Committee is thus adopted.
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