The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO organized an event entitled “The Promotion and Implementation of UNESCO Flagship Programs in Greece: National Achievements and Significant Synergies”, as part of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

The event was addressed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yiannis Loverdos, and the newly appointed President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Dora Vyzovitou.

Mr Loverdos highlighted a number of recent achievements of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, most notably the proclamation of 9 February as World Greek Language Day, the inscription of Mount Olympus on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the inclusion of Nisyros in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.

Mr Loverdos praised the work of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO and congratulated the outgoing President, Aikaterini Tzitzikosta, in recognition of her longstanding contribution. He also congratulated the newly appointed President, Dora Vyzovitou, and wished her every success in her new role.

The Deputy Minister further announced that the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO will host the next Meeting of the UNESCO National Commissions of Europe and North America, which will take place in Crete in May 2027. He noted that this constitutes another significant achievement, demonstrating the Commission’s ongoing efforts, while also providing an excellent opportunity for Greece to further contribute to international cooperation in the promotion of culture.

The Rector of Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and Member of the Board of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Professor Christina Koulouri, spoke about the enduring legacy of the Greek language and the major national achievement of the international organization’s establishment of World Greek Language Day.

Subsequently, Dr Charalambos Fasoulas, President of the Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark, presented the UNESCO Global Geoparks program. He highlighted Greece’s leading role in the program, with 10 UNESCO Global Geopark designations, supported by the expertise and assistance of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO.

For his part, Professor Dimitris Vergados, Head of the UNESCO Chair “Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and the Utilization of Cultural Resources” at the University of Piraeus, presented the Chair’s most recent initiative: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipality of Didymoteicho in support of the city’s candidacy for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The event concluded with a presentation by Ms Vera Dilari, National Coordinator for UNESCO Associated Schools at the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, on the UNESCO Associated Schools Network, which currently comprises 150 schools in Greece.

The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Charis Theoharis, the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Maira Myrogianni and numerous other guests.