The main objective of this meeting was to examine the priority actions of the Organization for months to come as well as to discuss the best way these personalities could contribute to the realization of these actions. The Annual Meeting was also an occasion to share the details of the various projects and activities that the Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors implement in their respective domains.
The journey of 10 May 2016 was focused on the following issues: The Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCO’s work to support the United Nations Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism, as well as the United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) 2016.
During the morning session, the Sustainable Development Goals were presented by Mr Thomas Gass, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). This presentation was completed by one on UNESCO’s contribution to the Agenda 2030.
During the afternoon session, the Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors were informed about the various activities that UNESCO realizes to support the United Nations Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism. This presentation was namely focused on UNESCO’s work in the field of education as well as in the field of the cultural heritage protection. The details related to the international damage assessment mission to Palmyra undertaken by UNESCO were also presented to UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors.
The United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) 2016 was presented during the second part of the afternoon session. This report provides an overall picture of the state of the world’s freshwater resources, as well as a description of the links between jobs and water management.
The Annual Meeting was closed by a special concert entitled “Une Odyssée de l’espoir”, in memory of the late Samuel Pisar, UNESCO Honorary Ambassador and Special Envoy for Holocaust Education.
The Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors such as Ms Ivonne A-Baki, Mr Pierre Bergé, Mr Serge Klarsfeld, Lady Cristina Owen-Jones, Mr Jean-Michel Jarre, Mr Metin Arditi, Ms Maha El-Khalil Chalabi, Ms Elisso Bolkvadzé, Mr Chico Bouchikhi, Ms Marianna Vardinoyannis, Professor Nasser D. Khalili, Alphadi, Mr Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière, Mr Ali Mahdi Nouri, and many others participated at this meeting.
