Sri Lanka discusses with UNESCO on enhancing cultural and tourism cooperation with Africa

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Sumith Dassanayake met with Dr. Yumiko Yokozeki, Director of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Africa at the UNESCO office in Addis Ababa on 9 April.

The discussion centred on enhancing cultural and tourism cooperation between Sri Lanka and African countries. Ambassador Dassanayake discussed on the possibility of signing an Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism and Culture between Sri Lanka and the African Union under the auspices of the UNESCO. 

The possibility of getting assistance from Sri Lanka for capacity building of the tourism industry in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, was also discussed among other matters. 

Referring to Sri Lanka’s long standing relations with the UNESCO that date back to 1949, Ambassador Dassanayake informed Director Yokozeki that Sri Lanka has served on the Executive Board of the UNESCO on numerous occasions. 

Liaison Officer to African Union Commission Malebogo Bowe and National Program Officer for Culture at UNESCO Getu Assefa were also associated with the Director at the discussion.