International organizations: UNESCO General Conference takes place in Paris

The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), opened in Paris November 5, 2013 and will run until November 20. The French capital brought together representatives of 195 member countries of the organization. The Russian delegation is headed by the Russian Academy of Science President, Vladimir Fortov, who will speak at the conference on November 8.

The main issues on the agenda are: adoption of the budget for the next five years and the approval of the organization's strategy up to 2021. Among other issues to be discussed at the General Conference, is the improvement of the International Standard Classification of Education, freedom of expression on the Internet and related ethical issues, preservation of cultural heritage in the Middle East. The meeting will also focus on the problems of communication and information.

In addition, the meeting is expected to approve the candidacy for the post of Director General of UNESCO and to elect for a new four-year term the incumbent director, Irina Bokova, as well as to vote for the new members of the Executive Board of the organization and its other governing bodies.