2008 - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

2007 - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

UNESCO Round Table on Indigenous Peoples: Development with Culture and Identity
On 15 September, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, opened a Round Table entitled “Development with Culture and Identity” on the occasion of the first official visit of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to the Organization, represented by its Chair, Ms Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, as well as Ms Margaret Lokawua and Mr Carlos Mamani Condori, responsible for the Forum’s work on education, culture, environment and gender and women’s issues. The Round Table also coincided with the annual meeting of the UN Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, which is chaired by UNESCO for the period 2008-2009.
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 116-2008. Publicated: 17-09-2008

Director-General visits the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
At the invitation of the Government, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, undertook his second official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from 10 to 12 September 2008. In a meeting with the Minister of Culture Mr Kang Nung Su, the Director-General recalled that their previous discussions in 2000 had led to close collaboration between UNESCO and DPRK in the preparation of the nomination of the Complex of Koguryo Tombs to the World Heritage List. Mr Matsuura recognized the ongoing efforts of DPRK to conserve the Complex and noted with satisfaction that Phase III of UNESCO’s extrabudgetary funded Project for the Preservation of the Koguryo Tombs and Mural Paintings was already in effect.
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 115-2008. Publicated: 17-09-2008

UNESCO Director-General pays official visit to Japan
From 25 August to 2 September 2008, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, undertook an official visit to Japan, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Gifu. During the meetings the Director-General expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support to the Organization and expressed his wish to continue seeking ways to strengthen cooperation.
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 114-2008. Publicated: 09-09-2008

Director-General addresses the 2008 UNESCO/UNU International Conference on “Globalization and Languages – Building on our Rich Heritage”
On 27 August 2008, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, together with the Rector of the United Nations University, Mr Konrad Osterwalder, opened the 2008 annual UNESCO/UNU International Conference on “Globalization and Languages – Building on our Rich Heritage” held at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 105-2008. Publicated: 04-09-2008

UNESCO Director-General pays first official visit to Scotland
From 18 to 20 August 2008, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, made his first official visit to Scotland, visiting Edinburgh, New Lanark and Glasgow. On the Director-General’s arrival on the evening of 18 August, Ms Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture in the Scottish Government, hosted a dinner in his honour. This provided an opportunity for Mr Matsuura to discuss with important Scottish personalities how UNESCO could strengthen cooperation with Scotland, within the framework of its cooperation with the United Kingdom (UK)...
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 103-2008. Publicated: 21-08-2008

The Director-General of UNESCO supports the calls for dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand
The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, today joined his voice to that of United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, who declared himself “concerned about the current escalation of tensions” between Thailand and Cambodia near the Preah Vihear Temple, and expressed his hope that “this matter can be resolved peacefully and by diplomatic means in the context of the excellent relations that traditionally exist between the two countries.”
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 097-2008. Publicated: 25-07-2008

The Director-General visits the Republic of Korea
From 21 to 26 July 2008, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, undertook his third official visit to the Republic of Korea (R.O.K.), first visiting Seoul for several high-level bilateral meetings and then proceeding to Gwangju to open the 2008 Children’s Performing Arts Festival in East Asia.
UNESCO. Office of the Spokesperson. Flash Info N° 098-2008. Publicated: 29-07-2008