Malta’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Mgr Dr Joe Vella Gauci, presented his credentials to the Director General Irina Bokova at a ceremony at the World Heritage Centre in Paris on 15 October 2013.

Following the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Vella Gauci met the Director General to whom he conveyed warm greetings from the government and the people of Malta.

On her part Mrs Bokova referred to the long established and good relations between Malta & UNESCO. She expressed her appreciation for Malta’s intentions to consolidate a strong working relationship with this international organisation and its various institutes.

During the meeting, Director Bokova and Ambassador Vella Gauci also discussed bilateral issues and areas of mutual interest.

Dr Vella Gauci’s visit to Paris also included familiarization meetings mainly at the World Heritage Centre and the ICOMOS International HQ.

The Maltese Government through UNESCO’s Ambassador & Permanent Delegate in Malta, intends not only to vehemently safeguard the world heritage status of sites already carrying this title, but also to work hard to have it awarded to other historical and natural sites as well as to aspects of the country’s intangible heritage. The Office of the Permanent Delegate, which will be based in Gozo, will also be working on UNESCO’s competences in the sectors related to education, science & innovation and cultural dialogue.