The members of the Non-Aligned Movement accredited to the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO), gathered in an official ceremony on 12 March at the headquarters of the Organization in Paris, under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, agreed to revitalize the work of the Group of Non-Aligned Countries to UNESCO, thus implementing the decision adopted in this regard by the Heads of State or Government of the Movement at the XIV Summit, held in Havana, Cuba, from 11-16 September 2006.

With this decision, the member countries of the Movement accredited to UNESCO expressed their steadfast will to contribute, in a dynamic and effective manner, to strengthening the coordination, cooperation, representation and defense of their legitimate interests in the context of UNESCO, on the basis of the respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Likewise, they expressed their decision to strengthen the work of UNESCO on the basis of its founding principles and purposes, with a view to enhancing their contribution to the genuine interests of all the peoples in the world in their fields of competence.

The reassertion of the NAM’s capacity action in this era of the knowledge-based society is linked to its increased influence on international cooperation in the fields of education, culture, sports, science and information, decisive in training the human capital required for the development of our peoples.

To that end, the members of the Non-Aligned Movement accredited to UNESCO also asserted their will to work together with the Group of 77 + China so as to mutually complement and reinforce the endeavors of both groupings, and to look into the interests and meet the priorities of the developing countries in the work of the Organization.

Paris, 12 March 2007 

(Minrex)12-03-2007