The visit to Yaounde of Irina Georgieva Bokova, beginning on September 15, 2014, further deepens historic ties between UNESCO and Cameroon.

Cameroon is certainly among the few countries privileged to welcome Irina G. Bokova, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in a two-day visit that will keep the august guest abreast of the tangibles and non-tangibles that symbolise the long-standing relations between her organisation and Cameroon.

As one of the important agencies of the United Nations that creates the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture, UNESCO has for long entertained in collaboration with Cameroon symbiotic views and actions geared on achieving the goals of the United Nations system.

In this respect, all strategies and activities are aimed at pursuing the Millennium Development Goals especially those that set out to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, achieving universal primary education, eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education,  combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The milestone covered in this common goal was ably described by the Head of State, President Paul Biya in January, 2009 during the visit to Cameroon of the former Director General, as “exemplary.” In effect, what has so far been achieved leaves no one indifferent. Talk of UNESCO and minds will quickly run to the medley of socio-cultural and health programmes UNESCO has had to finance in Cameroon. UNESCO to a Cameroonian recalls of the premium position Cameroon as a country occupies within the organization as translated by the choice of the First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of her works to help humanity.

What makes relations between Cameroon and UNESCO continue to tick is equally the numerous existing symbols such as the Dja Faunal Reserve dedicated as one of UNESCO’s World’s Heritage Center and the transformation of the Yaounde UNESCO Office to a Regional Center or better still the Multi Sectoral Office for Central Africa. This particular reform is a translation of the new orientation the Director General has given to the organization.

Some of the major areas wherein UNESCO and Cameroon have hinged their action on, and which have kept the flame of cooperation burning include, are quality education for all, sustainable development, promotion of cultural diversity and intellectual dialogue, and building of inclusive societies of knowledge through information and communication.