Kiri

Ref.: CL/4356 Subject: Invitation to the 41st session of the General Conference Sir/Madam, I have the honour to inform you that the 41st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will open at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, 9 November 2021, at 10 a.m. Its work is expected to conclude on Wednesday, 24 November 2021. Health situation and format of the session This letter is being sent for preparatory purposes, in line with the procedure followed for previous General Conference sessions held at UNESCO Headquarters. However, in light of the ongoing health situation, the format of the General Conference may change. Following 211 EX/Decision 27.II, concerning the draft plan for the organization of the work of the 41st session of the General Conference, the UNESCO Executive Board decided “[...] to create an open-ended working group, open to all UNESCO Member States, in order to prepare working methods in the event that the sanitary situation does not allow an in-person meeting of the General Conference in November 2021 and, if so decided by the Executive Board, to call, according to Article IV.D.9 (a) and (b) of the Constitution, for an extraordinary session of the General Conference, on 4 September 2021 to decide solely on (a) the format of the General Conference and (b) the adoption of the aforementioned working methods.” The decisions emanating from the above will be immediately notified to Member States, Associate Members and Observers. Documents The provisional agenda for the session (41 C/1 Prov.), together with the following documents, are available at the following address https://unesdoc.unesco.org/collections/governing-bodies/general-conference : 41 C/2 Prov. Organization of the work of the session 41 C/NOM/1 Election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the General Conference and of the chairpersons, vice- chairpersons and rapporteurs of the commissions and committees 41 C/INF.1 Invitations to the 41st session of the General Conference The Draft Programme and Budget for 2022-2025 (document 41 C/5) comprises two volumes: Volume 1, Draft Resolutions – First Biennium 2022-2023; and Volume 2, Draft Programme and Budget – First Biennium 2022-2023. 7, place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP, France Tél. : +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00 To Ministers responsible for relations with UNESCO Fax : +33 (0)1 45 68 55 55 www.unesco.org CL/4356 – page 2 Provisional agenda and supplementary items In accordance with Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference, the attached provisional agenda was established by the Executive Board at its 211th session. Any Member State or Associate Member may, at least eight weeks before the date fixed for the opening of the session (i.e., 14 September 2021), request the inclusion of supplementary items in the agenda (Rule 12). Delegation composition and credentials I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Rule 21 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference, relating to the composition of delegations, reads as follows: “1. Each Member State and Associate Member shall appoint no more than five delegates, who shall be selected after consultation with the National Commission, if established, or with educational, scientific and cultural bodies. “2. Each delegation may also include not more than five alternate delegates and as many advisers and experts as each Member State and Associate Member deems necessary.” To be authorized to participate in the proceedings of the General Conference, members of delegations must be in possession of credentials in due form, in compliance with Rule 23 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference. In accordance with that Rule, I invite you to communicate to me by 2 November 2021 at the latest, the names and credentials of the members of your country’s delegation. The envelope containing these documents should be marked “DELEGATES’ CREDENTIALS” to ensure that it is delivered to the competent units within the Organization. In order to highlight the importance of youth participation – one of the priority groups of the Organization’s Medium-Term Strategy – at both the strategic and programmatic levels, particularly during the ongoing strategic transformation, I invite you to include young people in your delegation. Other matters Additional information concerning practical issues, such as privileges and immunities, passports and visas and accommodation, is annexed to this letter. Further information is also available online at the following address: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/general-conference/ I hope that this information will facilitate your country’s participation in the next session of the General Conference. Accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration. Audrey Azoulay Director-General Enclosures: 5 cc: Permanent Delegations and Observers to UNESCO National Commissions for UNESCO  GENERAL INFORMATION Privileges and immunities The privileges and immunities enjoyed by the Organization, representatives of Member States and other persons participating in the work of the General Conference are set out in the Agreement between the Government of the French Republic and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization regarding the Headquarters of UNESCO and the Privileges and Immunities of the Organization on French Territory (the “Headquarters Agreement”), which came into force on 23 November 1955. This text is to be found in the Organization’s Basic Texts (2020 Revised edition). Formalities of entry and stay Travellers are advised to contact the office of the diplomatic representative of France in their country of residence to determine the formalities for entering and staying in France, in accordance with the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement mentioned above. Climate The weather in Paris in November is usually variable. Average temperatures in Paris during this period vary between 5ºC/41ºF (average daily minimum) and 14ºC/57ºF (average daily maximum). Accommodation Hotels It is always difficult to find hotel rooms in Paris, whatever the time of year, but in particular at the time of the General Conference. Therefore, rooms should be booked as early as possible. The Secretariat is not responsible for hotel bookings.