Minister Đurić confers with Candidate for UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Anany

Minister Đurić emphasized that the Republic of Serbia attaches immense importance to the role and mandate of the UNESCO Director-General, as well as to the Organization itself, which represents one of the key pillars of the multilateral system.

Recalling the traditionally friendly and comprehensive relations between Serbia and Egypt, as well as their successful cooperation within international organizations, the Minister reaffirmed Serbia’s formal support for Dr. El-Anany’s candidacy for this important and responsible position.

Minister Đurić underscored that Serbia is a sincere and committed partner in upholding the core values upon which UNESCO is founded, stressing that the Organization must remain a mechanism for solidarity, dialogue, and joint efforts by Member States toward building a more just and sustainable world.

The Serbian Foreign Minister expressed deep concern over the continued attacks on Serbian cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, particularly on sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. He emphasized that safeguarding these monuments is a matter of the highest priority for Serbia and called for respect for the universal values and historical significance of this heritage.

He particularly stressed that any consideration of a request for membership by the so-called “Kosovo” in UNESCO would be entirely unacceptable for the Republic of Serbia, as it would deepen divisions among Member States, politicize cultural heritage, and seriously undermine the credibility of the Organization itself.