November 16 is the anniversary of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

When it was founded, UNESCO set it as its goal to contribute to global peace and security by promoting cooperation among different countries over the world in the fields of education, science, culture and information.

Comprising more than 190 countries of the world as its members, the organization has developed international exchanges of information, cultural dissemination, adult education and child education based on TV, films and newspapers and fostered collaboration in the fields of world cultural heritage protection and intellectual activities.

Above all, it channels big efforts into the development of education and the enhancement of international understanding through education. In particular, it pays close attention to improving and expanding compulsory primary education in developing countries and bettering the training of teachers and the courses of study.

In the field of science, it assists countries with the formulation of policies for the development of science and technology, encourages the training of scientists and technicians and fosters international exchanges and cooperation in wide fields. While encouraging research into social sciences, it conducts activities for making international regulations needed for the building of all-inclusive society.

In the cultural field, it promotes mutual understanding of each country’s culture and wide-ranging cooperation in the restoration and management of international cultural relics.

UNESCO has published books related with education, science, culture and information and many other publications.

Since it joined UNESCO on October 18 1974, the DPRK has strengthened cooperation with the organization, while making constant progress in different fields, including education, science and technology, and culture.

In the course of this, such areas of Mts Paektu, Kuwol, Myohyang, Chilbo and Kumgang were listed as world biosphere reserves, tomb murals from the period of the Koguryo Kingdom and historical relics in Kaesong were put on the UNESCO World Heritage list, folk song “Arirang”, kimchi-making practice, ssirum (Korean wrestling) and Pyongyang cold noodles-making practice were added to UNESCO’s Representative List of ICH of Humanity and national classics “Muyedobothongji (Illustrated Book of Martial Arts)” and “Honchonjondo”, an astronomical chart, were inscribed as heritage elements in the Memory of the World Programme of UNESCO.

The DPRK will continue to contribute to human progress and the development of civilization by further strengthening international cooperation and exchanges and taking an active part in UNESCO’s activities.