The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided on Monday, at the 216th session of its governing body, to establish a Category I Institute on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Shanghai, China. Various members of the executive committee expressed their appreciation and gratitude to China for its support of UNESCO. He said the Category I Institute will strengthen UNESCO's leadership in the field of STEM education and make a significant contribution to the implementation of UNESCO's mandate and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda.
Chen Jie, the deputy minister of education, chairman of the UNESCO China National Commission, and head of the Chinese delegation, said that this decision will go down in history and that history will eventually prove its correctness. On behalf of China, Chen expressed his deep respect and gratitude to all member states and the UNESCO Secretariat, promising that China will honor its commitments and cooperate with the secretariat in the implementation of the resolution. UNESCO Category I Institutes are an integral part of the organization and serve as a think tank, standard setter, promoter of international cooperation, information clearinghouse, and capacity builder within their mandate. UNESCO's Category I Institutes build scientific capacity in member states. According to the UNESCO Constitution, the decision taken at the current board session on the establishment of a Category I Institute in China will be submitted for final approval at the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference. Once approved, it will also be the first Category I Institute in China. In addition, steps will be taken for the first Category 1 Institute outside of Europe.
Source:
https://www.china.org.cn/world/2023-05/23/content_85525453.htm
