"It is the Government's understanding that Portugal's presence on the Executive Board of UNESCO is adds value for the projection of the image of our country at an international level and allows an increased capacity for intervention in the international community," was the official government line on confirmation of the news.
Portugal’s election to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation means a place at the top table until 2021.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the result which was confirmed today, November 8th, in Paris after a secret ballot at the 39th UNESCO General Conference.
This is the fourth time that Portugal has had a seat on the executive, the last stint was between 2005 and 2009.
"This is the culmination of an intense and successful campaign ... that actively involved the entire Portuguese diplomatic network, especially the Permanent Mission of Portugal to UNESCO, led by Ambassador José Filipe Moraes Cabral,” read today’s ministry statement.
"The election of Portugal to the Executive Board of UNESCO, a priority for the government, reflects the international recognition of the importance that our country attaches to multilateralism, as reflected in the open, transparent and inclusive work that Portugal developed during its mandate in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee," trumpeted Augusto Santos Silva’s ministry.
It did not stop there, as during its new mandate, Portugal will "promote dialogue and the principles of mutual respect and solidarity among nations, combating inequality and poverty, seeking to strengthen education, scientific knowledge and cultural diversity, essential tools for sustainable development."
Portugal joined UNESCO in 1965, withdrew in 1972, rejoining on September 11th after the 1974 revolution.
The agency has 195 member states and eight associate members, all with an impressive and so far unreached goal of, "Building peace in the minds of men through education, science, culture and communication."
UNESCO is the self-styled guardian of the world's cultural heritage and mainly is noted for its educational programmes and the list it produces and adds to, of world cultural and natural heritage.
Portugal’s UNESCO list includes the historic centres of Évora, Oporto, Guimarães, the Côa Valley and the tower of Belém in Lisbon.
On the waiting list is the Costa Vicentina coastline of the Alentejo and Algarve, and the town of Marvão and the mountain on which it sits.
Alto Douro wine region, one of Portugal UNESCO sites
