- The Syrian Arab Republic participated in the meetings of the 189th session of UNESCO Executive Board that was held at the organization's headquarters in Paris during the period from 27th of Feb 2012 to the 9th of March 2012. The Syrian delegation included her Excellency Lamia Shakkour, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic in Paris, the Permanent Delegate for UNESCO, Dr.Nidal Hasan ,Secretary General of the Syrian National Commission for UNESCO, and Mr.Mohammed Abu Dallah ,the Third Secretary at the Syrian Embassy in Paris.

- Ms.Alessandra Cummins, the chairperson of the EXB commenced the session in presence of 58 representatives of Member States. She focused on the financial status of the organization, especially after the decision made by the United States to stop its financial contributions as a reaction on the resolution adopted by UNESCO to give Palestine a permanent membership in the United Nations. She confirmed the reform process that was initiated by Her Excellency, Irina Bokova, Director General of the Organization, in addition to identifying UNESCO's future plans, projects and initiatives during the coming period.

- Many Members States proposed a topic to be added on the agenda of the Board concerning UNESCO's response to the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. The topic was agreed on by a roll-call. Results of voting were :(34) countries agreed to keep the item, (17) countries were against it, while (6) countries declined to vote. Based on this result, the topic has been included in the agenda of the session.

- When the draft resolution for this item was presented for voting during the discussion of the agenda, (14) countries declined, namely : (Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Namibia, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Thailand and Vietnam) , while (8) countries voted only against it:(Syria, Belarus, China, Cuba, Russia, Mali, Venezuelan and Zimbabwe), and by this the draft resolution (No.24) was adopted, in the lightest possible formula.

- The countries that voted with the decision are: ( Austria-Belgium-Denmark–France-Italy-Monaco-Spain-United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – United States of America-Barbados-Brazil–Grenada-Haiti-Mexico-Peru-Saint Lucia –Burkina Faso-Congo-Djibouti-Kenya- Malawi Nigeria-Czech Republic- Montenegro-Slovakia- the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia-Uzbekistan - Indonesia,-Japan-Kazakhstan- Papua -new Guinea-the Republic of Korea- Egypt, Saudi –Tunisia and United Arab Emirates).

- Her Excellency Irina Bokova, the Director- General of UNESCO presented the action strategy for this phase with focus on cost reduction and allocation of other financial resources, after the United States ceased their financial contribution since last October, which caused a budget shortage in the years (2012-2013) that decreased from 653 to 465 million dollars.

- During the working sessions, participants discussed all agenda items that are related to the plans, budget and future projects. Besides discussing items concerning the educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Syrian Golan and occupied territories. The Director -General discussed also the report of rebuilding Gaza Strip and other issues.

- The Syrian delegation submitted many significant inputs and proposals concerning all agenda issue, particularly the five resolutions related to the Arab Region, and the resolution related to the educational and cultural institutions in the Occupied Syrian Golan.

- Her Excellency the Ambassador lamia Shakkour, Permanent Delegate of Syria for UNESCO, delivered a statement on behalf of Dr.Saleh Al-Rashed, the former Minister of Education in the general session that was held on the 1st of March 2012. H.E emphasized the commitment to the fair cases of group 77, China , and friendly countries groups. Besides, the minister confirmed the need to respect all works of the different commissions which have been concluded during the meetings of the executive board, particularly the works of the commission specialized in conventions and recommendations.

- His Excellency renewed the invitation for UNESCO to enforce the necessary mechanisms for the actual implementation of its resolutions, expressing his deep regret on the current crisis of the Syrian Arab Republic. And his regret on the international illegal environment that ignore all the United Nations bonds, international laws, showing no respect for the countries self-dependence, and their sovereignty over their lands; besides to all illegitimate interference in the internal affairs of other countries. He confirmed the sole responsibility of all countries to protect and maintain the citizens' lives and safety.

He identified that the Syrian leadership has responded to the legitimate popular demands and has adopted a comprehensive reform project since the beginning of the crisis. But this process can't be fruitful without the help and support of the international community and the specialized international organizations, which push these reforms forward and maintain the history and culture and the humanitarian role of Syria.

- His Excellency notified the Executive Board with the enormous impacts of the crisis over education sector in addition to the huge destruction of the social structure and cohesion.

- The Syrian delegation held many side meetings with other delegates to explain the consequences and the dimensions of the Syrian crisis. Based on that, the representatives of Syria friendly countries reached a consensus that UNESCO should not distract its attention from its priorities and involve itself in any political issue against any country.

- This session closed with 58 Member State of the Executive Board of UNESCO agreed to adopt a new "Road Map" for implementing the organization's program of the years (2012-2013), despite of the shortage of funding. UNESCO prioritized its mandates, particularly in Africa and on the issue of gender equality, focusing also on quality education and cost reduction. According to UNESCO's priorities, the organization can continue to help the Members States through designing programs targeting young people, the least developed countries, the developing small islands, post conflict countries. UNESCO was able to implement many activities and events all over the world, most notably the "World Water Forum": in the city of Marseille, the International Conference on the "Teacher and Technical Training" in Shanghai, the "World Day of Press Freedom" in Tunisia, "the Rio + 20 summit" in Brazil, and celebrating the forty year anniversary of World Heritage Convention in Petersburg, in addition to other quality activities hosted by either by state members, or organized within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris