MOSCOW, November 19 (Sputnik), Svetlana Alexandrova – No alternative to the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) currently exists since international organizations still serve as the main arena for global discussion, Russia's envoy to UNESCO Eleonora Mitrofanova told Sputnik in an interview.
"Today there is no alternative to the United Nations and [UNESCO] given the fact that the international organizations are still the main format in which the world finds approaches and decides on a future agenda," Mitrofanova said, adding that despite its importance "the UN needs to undergo changes in order to quickly and efficiently respond to the rapid developments and new challenges: whether these are the regional conflicts, natural disasters, manmade disasters or economic turmoil."
According to Mitrofanova, the world is now witnessing an attempt to impose a "pyramidal world order", where the United States and its allies view themselves on top of the hierarchy with the rest of the world laying "beneath".
"Such ideology often leads to a situation when the opinion of the majority of countries in the United Nations is neglected," Mitrofanova said.
A country's participation in UNESCO programs serves as objective evidence of its maturity and importance in today's international relations, Mitrofanova said, highlighting that Russia is one of the most influential members of UNESCO.
"Under the auspices of UNESCO, more than 50 UNESCO Chairs have been established in Russian universities," Russia's envoy to the organization told Sputnik. UNESCO Chairs is an international network that involves more than 700 hundred universities and institutes around the world. "About 300 educational institutions in Russia have the status of UNESCO Associated Schools," Mitrofanova added.
Another "flagship" UNESCO program is World Heritage Site status. Over the past several decades, UNESCO has developed a comprehensive conservation system of unique sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.
Russia's envoy pointed out that as of today "the UNESCO World Heritage List consists of 27 Russian sites (including Crimean Chersonese)". Another 27 Russian heritage sites are on a preliminary list. She reminded that among the latest unique sites of outstanding importance Russia has put forward "The National Reserve of Kenozero" (Archangelskaya oblast) and "The Memorial Complex 'To the heroes of Stalingrad Battle' on Mamaev Hill."
In the context of international assistance efforts Russia has initiated a project that aims to preserve World Heritage in Kosovo (Serbia), Mitrofanova said. To preserve the site, the Russian government has made a voluntary contribution to UNESCO of $2 million.
Summarizing UNESCO efforts in 2014, Mitrofanova added that "as a result of complex international research, UNESCO recognized the unique historical and archaeological complex of the ancient city of Bolgar in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan."
Mitrofanova also informed Sputnik that next year will mark several anniversaries and events. More specifically, following a Russian initiative, UNESCO will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of ancient city of Derbent.
