Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference
36 session of the General Conference - Leaders Forum
H.E. Mr Johnson TORIBIONG, President of the Republic of Palau 
Keynote Address at the Leaders' Forum of the 36th session of the General Conference (posted as received)36 session of the General Conference
H.E. Mrs Faustina REHUHER MARUGG, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received35 session of the General Conference
H.E. Mr Dwight Alexander, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO“(…) We place high priority on education. In gathering data for the assessment of EFA, we note great progress in our region and particularly my country. With the assistance of UNESCO, we launched a capacity-building initiative to develop the skills of our school administrators, teacher trainers and teachers.”
“(…) The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development plays a key role in the understanding of our resources and how to ensure their sustainability. This is key to the survival of small islands. We are expanding learning to include adult education, vocational training, acceptance of non formal training programs and integration of Information and Communication Technologies.”
“My country strongly supports scientific research in climate change, oceanography and renewable energy. The small islands are in the frontline of the battle on these matters as we witness the changes in our environment, climate, and even our way of life. (…) We also blame climate change for the frequency of natural disasters (…). If the small countries are to survive, alternative source of energy must be sought. We invite UNESCO to take the lead in seeking solutions, formulating country responses and developing mitigation plans. The United Nations, delivering as one, could be an effective tool in coordinating all agencies in addressing these pressing issues related to climate change.”
“While we are yet to ratify the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, we support it as we supported the World Heritage Convention. Palau is a multi-cultural and multi-faith society. (…) We plead with the rest of the world, all religions and cultures to build acceptance through interfaith and intercultural dialogue. (…) We support UNESCO for its leading role in organizing forums that encourages such dialogue. Palau was the first to have a Man and Biosphere reserve in the Pacific and we are doubling our efforts for inscription of sites into the World Heritage List. (…) We welcome UNESCO's efforts to establish the Pacific World Heritage fund.”
“Palau initiated the Micronesian Challenge where it challenged the small island states to set aside 20 per cent of their terrestrial and up to 30 per cent of their marine environments to conservation and preservation. The objective is to ensure survival of the ecosystems of the islands in the wave of development. (…) Palau also proposed the creation of OTEC or Organization of Tuna Exporting Countries to ensure the sustainability of tuna stocks.”
“(…) Palau offers its congratulations to the Director-General designate of UNESCO (…). We are most pleased that in her recent statement, Small Island Developing States will remain a key priority in her reforms.”
“We must also pay special tribute to the current Director-General (…).”
34 session of the General Conference
Mr Alexander Dwight, Secretary-General of National Commission of the Republic of Palau for UNESCO“We welcome the new direction taken by UNESCO in the development of the United Nations Support Strategy document, where small island nations are given the opportunity to talk to the Organization to identify what its greatest needs are and where UNESCO can be most effective in helping the country.”
Palau has completed its 10-Year Education Strategic Plan for 2006-2016, where access to quality education is a key priority. Palau would like to thank Japan for its assistance in these matters. However, there are still many challenges to face and Palau is hoping for UNESCO’s additional support for teachers training.
UNESCO should have an active and leading role in implementing the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
Palau is concerned by the protection of its cultural and natural heritage. Palau is the first Pacific state to have a Man and Biosphere reserve, showing its commitment to protect the environment. The country has also initiated the Micronesian Challenge in 2005, to preserve terrestrial and marine environments. UNESCO’s support is needed to face these challenges.
“We support and seek your assistance in the proposal made in the World Heritage Committee meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, for the establishment of a World Heritage Pacific Fund to help us move forward in our efforts to nominate sites in the Pacific...”
Palau encourages all studies and research in water, renewable energy and global warming with focus on climate change and sea level rise. Continued researches in this areas will give a chance to small vulnerable island to develop prosper and sustainable economies. Climate change has a dangerous impact on Palau and the island hopes that UNESCO will seek to research and minimize the results natural disasters.
Palau welcomes the priority given on the African States and Small Island Developing States in the Medium-Term Strategy. However, the new direction calls for a more active role of the field office and a visible presence in the country, which requires adequate resources. Palau office cannot cut its budget further, because of air travels in the Pacific.
Palau
