Senior UN official visits Cameroon to strengthen ties

YAOUNDE, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) — United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director General Irina Bokova is on a two-day visit in Cameroon to strengthen relationship with the central African country.Invited by Cameroonian President Paul Biya, Bokova arrived in Cameroon on Monday. It is her first visit to Cameroon since she was elected Director General of UNESCO in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.



During her meeting with the president on Tuesday, Bokova reiterated the importance of cooperation with Cameroon in searching for peace and sustainable development, a press release said.
Bokova stressed her organization’s strong ties with International Reference Center Chantal Biya run by President Biya’s wife Chantal Biya. The center is “very active in the fight against AIDS,” Bokova said.

Since Nov. 14, 2008, Chantal Biya has been a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO for education and social inclusion due to her humanitarian actions.

For President Biya, the visit by UNESCO chief reflects the long- time relationship with the UN organization since the country got independence in 1960.

Copyright 2014 Xinhua News Agency.