UNESCO Director General Irina Gueorguieva Bokova is scheduled to arrive here in Nepal for monitoring the post-earthquake recovery process and to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. She was invited by the government of Nepal. 

According to a press statement issued by UNESCO, Kathmandu on Friday, she will also visit UNESCO’s project sites, including World Heritage sites and Community Learning Centers.  

During her stay from 17 to 19 April 2016, joint programmes by UNESCO and Nepal government in the fields of education and culture will also be launched.

“Bokova will meet the President, the Prime Minister, among other officials, including the ministers of education, culture and foreign affairs to further discuss cooperation between Nepal and UNESCO in all fields of the Organization’s competence, especially in the efforts of post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation,” the statement read. 

Her visit is expected to give momentum to expanding UNESCO programmes in education, culture, science and media development sectors.

In close partnership with the Nepal government, UNESCO has focused on attaining a quality Education for All, gender equality and adult literacy. 

The office has also worked to preserve cultural heritage, promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, and to empower people through the free flow of ideas and access to information and knowledge, and to mobilise scientific knowledge and science policy for sustainable development, the statement further stated.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on 16 November 1945 with the aim of strengthening peace worldwide, by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication.

Nepal became a member of UNESCO in May 1953. The UNESCO Office in Kathmandu was established in 1998.