CM/Res.964 (XLI)
RESOLUTION ON UNESCO
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Forty- first Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 25 February to 4 March 1985,
Recalling Resolution AHG/Res.127 (XX) which reaffirms the duty of all countries to endeavor to preserve and consolidate international institutions, particularly those of the United Nations System, which were primarily established to preserve world peace,
Noting with concern a certain trend which if continued would led to negation of the principles and purposes for which these organizations were established,
Recalling the appeal to the United States to reconsider its decision to withdraw from UNESCO,
Noting with deep regret the subsequent withdrawal of the United States from UNESCO, the notices of such withdrawal given by the United Kingdom and Singapore and the consequences of such withdrawal on the Organization and its Member States,
Bearing in mind the necessity to ensure that UNESCO continues its noble task of contributing to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion by the Charter of the United Nations.
Considering that it is important to maintain and further strengthen the fruitful co- operation existing between the OAU and UNESCO in the fields of Education,
Science, Culture and Communications, particularly after the first meeting of the OAU/UNESCO Joint Consultative Committee (5 – 7 December 1984),
Having heard the statement made by the Deputy Director-General of UNESCO:
REITERATES its dedication to the ideal and objectives of international co- operation as clearly set out in the Charter of the United Nations and in UNESCO;
EXPESSES its full support for the policies and programmes of the Organization approved by its legislative bodies;
REAFFIRMS its full confidence in the wise leadership of Mr Amadou Makhtar M’bow, Director -General of UNESCO and his persistent efforts to uphold the ideals of the Organization;
URGES the Director-General in particular to continue in his efforts to preserve the integrity of the policies and programmes of UNESCO democratically approve by the Member States of the Organization;
INVITES African Member States of UNESCO as an act of international solidarity in support of an organization of inestimable value to international co-operation, to:
pay as a matter of urgency their arrears of assessed contribution;
forego the surpluses due to them as a result of monetary fluctuations during the budgetary period 1981 – 1983;
make any other voluntary contributions within their financial capabilities.
CALLS ON all States to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of peace, through international co-operation and based on the intellectual and moral solidarity of all mankind.