Indonesia, along with India, Japan, China, the Philippines, and Bangladesh, have been elected as members of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2017-2021 term for the Asia-Pacific group, the directorate general of multilateral cooperation of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry noted in a press statement released on Thursday.
During the closed election, Indonesia had gained 160 votes, placing it in third place.
Among the seven candidates in the Asia-Pacific group, Japan took the lead, with 166 votes; followed by India, with 162 votes; Indonesia, with 160 votes; the Philippines, with 157 votes; China, with 155 votes; and Bangladesh, with 144 votes.
During the election, the Cook Islands failed to secure a seat in the election, with the least number of votes at 91 for the Asia-Pacific group, which offered six seats.
"The election of Indonesia as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2017-2021 term will offer it strategic room to contribute to setting the standards of conduct of the UNESCO," Indonesian Permanent Representative to UNESCO Ambassador Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan stated.
Indonesias election as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board is not inseparable from its achievements and diplomacy in the UNESCO as well as the intensive efforts made by the countrys government, particularly its permanent mission, to obtain support from other countries.
Indonesia has contributed several works of art to UNESCO and has been a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2015-2019 term.
In addition, Indonesia was entrusted with hosting World Press Freedom Day in 2017. It is also recognized by the UNESCO as a key state in terms of promoting and conserving culture.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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