The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas received UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany at the Presidential Mansion. Mr. El-Enany, who is visiting Greece in the framework of the 2026 UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors gathering in Athens.
Mr. Tassoulas referred to the crucial role played by UNESCO in safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting cooperation among nations in the fields of education and science, with the ultimate goal of contributing to global peace and security, particularly in today’s international context, characterized by tension, uncertainty and armed conflicts. In this framework, he also referred to the necessary restructuring currently undertaken at UNESCO, as well as the worthy representation of Greece by Georgios Koumoutsakos.
He made particular reference to Greece’s long cultural tradition and active presence in UNESCO, with a steadfast commitment to the values and principles of the Organization and to international cooperation for the protection and promotion of humanity’s common heritage.
The President noted our country’s satisfaction with the Organization’s decision regarding the inscription of the Minoan Palatial Centers and the wider region of Mount Olympus on the World Heritage List, and emphasized the long-standing importance our country attaches to the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property and the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Particular mention was made of the establishment of February 9 as World Greek Language Day and the recognition of the role of the Greek language as the foundation of global thought.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany also referred, on his part, to Greece’s long-standing and steadfast cooperation with UNESCO and the valuable role of the Greek Permanent Delegation.
He listed, indicatively, the excellent cooperation with Greece in areas such as education, education for peace and sustainable growth, science and freedom of speech and the press, and highlighted the Greek inscriptions on the World Heritage List and the Intangible Cultural Heritage List, as well as other significant initiatives and activities undertaken by Greece.
Finally, he noted that the meeting took place at the invitation of the Greek UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Konstantza Sbokou Konstantakopoulou, and marked the first time that 31 of the 96 Goodwill Ambassadors met away from UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Delegate of Greece to UNESCO, Georgios Koumoutsakos and the Senior Coordinator of the Goodwill Ambassadors Programme, Nada Al Hassan.
