INDIA ELECTED TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF UNESCO
PRESS NOTE
India was elected to the Executive Board of UNESCO yesterday by 145 votes. This was difficult election since India has been on the Board continuously from 1947. In the last election to the Executive Board in 2001, India had secured 125 votes.
The election to the Executive Board follows other major successes for the Indian delegation to the UNESCO General Conference this year. India had proposed a resolution seeking UNESCO’s pro-active involvement in WIPO discussions for protection of rights of broadcasting organizations, so that the UNESCO objectives of protection of freedom of expression and universal access to information and knowledge are not in any way, hindered by the provisions of the treaty. This resolution was supported by a majority of countries, despite some stiff resistance by developed countries. After very effective intervention by Shri S. K. Arora, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and some other countries, finally the resolution was adopted unanimously with a minor amendment. The Indian delegation to the UNESCO General Conference was led by the HRD Minister, Shri Arjun Singh.
New Delhi Ashwin 23, 1927 October 15, 2005
Ministry of Human Resource Development.
UM/AKS/PK
(Release ID :12702)