Unesco Director General Irina Gueorguieva Bokova is scheduled to arrive in Nepal to monitor 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 statement issued by Unesco, Kathmandu, on Friday, Bokova will also visit Unesco project sites, including World Heritage Sites and Community Learning Centres. During her stay between 17 and 19 April, 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, ministers for education, culture and foreign affairs to further discuss cooperation between Nepal and Unesco in all fields of the organisation’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 Nepal government, Unesco has focused on imparting quality education to all, gender equality and adult literacy.  The UN agency 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.