© UNESCO/Michel Ravassard
Paris. Room I (empty).

An international platform for reflection and discussion, UNESCO has created the Leaders’ Forum within the 36th session of UNESCO’s General Conference to inject from the highest level of governments new inspiration and directions for the future. The Leaders’ Forum will be a major opportunity to explore in an open manner innovative, even provocative ideas and new ways of promoting peace and prosperity in a globalized world through UNESCO’s fields of competence and thereby help chart the programmatic activities of the Organizations in the future.
The three sessions of the Forum will be held on Wednesday, 26 October from 9.30 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm and on Thursday, 27 October 2011 from 10 am to 1 pm in Room I. The Forum will take place before the national statements of the general policy debate so as to enhance participation by delegations in the discussions. The following theme shall be addressed and discussed during the Leaders’ Forum:

“How does UNESCO contribute to building a culture of peace and to sustainable development?”

Each of the three sessions will start, to the extent possible, by two or several keynote addresses by Heads of State or Government, followed by an exchange of views between Ministers, preferably without set statements.

Among the confirmed Heads of States or Governments who will honour us with their presence are H.E. Mr Yayi Boni, President of the Republic of Benin; H.E. Mr Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; H.E. Mr Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon; H.E. Mr Pal Schmitt, President of the Republic of Hungary; H.E. Mr Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada; H.E. Mr Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya and H.E. Mr Sukhbaataryn Batbold, Prime Minister of Mongolia.