Symposium on peace

JAKARTA: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are to hold a symposium on constructing peace in the region on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 here, Antara reported on Tuesday.

Delegations from Southeast Asian states, directors of defense and international relations institutes from the region and beyond, youth organizations, representatives of UNESCO offices in Southeast Asia and members of the region's National UNESCO commissions will attend the symposium, the news agency quoted a release UNESCO issued in Paris recently.

UN institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Children's Fund (Unicef), and the World Health Organization (WHO) will also be represented.

The release said that during the symposium, participants would be expected to adopt a "Declaration on Peace for the 3rd Millennium in Southeast Asia" while UNESCO and ASEAN are expected to sign a cooperation agreement.

Linking durable peace and sustainable development, the declaration will commit its signatories to promote cooperation with a view to fostering a culture of peace and secure regional development, the release added.

President B.J. Habibie is scheduled to open the symposium, while ASEAN secretary-general, Rodolfo C. Severino Jr., and UNESCO director general, Federico Mayor, will address the event.

The symposium is slated to hold a discussion, a presentation and workshops.