*Minister Rennie Holds Discussions at UNESCO* --Promises Collaboration and Cooperation with Partners

--Promises Collaboration and Cooperation with Partners

By: Isaac Yeah, Minister-Counselor, Paris

(UNESCO-Paris, France-November 17, 2021) Liberia's Minister of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism, Ledgerhood Rennie, has held talks on the sidelines of the 41st Session of the UNESCO General Assembly. The occasion also marked the UN body's 75th Anniversary.

The Minister met UNESCO's Assistant Director for Culture, Ernesto Ottone, and the organization's Assistant Director for Communications and Information Technology, Tawfik Jelassi. He also met and held discussions with the Japanese Ambassador to UNESCO, OIKE Atsuyuki. In his conversations, he highlighted the need to improve the cultural and information technology sectors of the ministry, while also enhancing productivity.

Minister Rennie extolled UNESCO for the cooperation and support it has rendered MICAT so far and emphasized the need for continued assistance for the ministry to effectively carry out its responsibilities. He said for this to happen, MICAT must work collaboratively with organizations such as UNESCO.

According to a dispatch from Paris, Minister Rennie said the ministry has been engaging the legislature to ensure the domestication of some pieces of legislation, stressing that this will help deal with such issues as illicit trafficking of artifacts and other materials from Liberia and have them returned.

The UNESCO Assistant Director for Culture commended Minister Rennie for the visit and agreed with him on the need for laws that promote Liberia's cultural heritage. Assistant Director Ottone said the protection of Cultural Heritage, including underwater heritage, intangible cultural heritage, traditional heritage, living heritage, and audio-visual heritage, can not be over-emphasized.

For his part, UNESCO Assistant Director for Communication and Information, Tawfik Jelassi, assured the Minister that his department stands ready to work with and assist MICAT in driving positive communication.

He said the UNESCO's Communication Department has heard of the progress being made by the Liberian Government in the media sector, with journalists practicing free of harassment and intimidation. He thanked the government of Liberia for the "good job".

Japanese Ambassador OIKE Atsuyuki said his government enjoys cordial relations with Liberia and that they stand ready to lend any support the Ministry may desire. Ambassador Atsuyuki commended Minister Rennie and the entire leadership of MICAT for the great job they are doing while calling for close collaboration to actualize the Ministry's goals and aspirations.

The 41st Session of the General Conference of UNESCO runs from November 9 to the 24, 2021.