At the invitation of the Government of Japan, the United Nations has announced that it will participate in the World Exposition (EXPO) 2005 to take place in Aichi, Japan, from 25 March to 25 September 2005.

Within the overall Expo theme of “Nature’s Wisdom” the United Nations Pavilion will focus on “Celebrating Diversity.” Many UN agencies will contribute to the multi-media exhibits, special events, screenings, educational and entertainment activities being organized on this occasion. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is serving as lead agency for this initiative in view of the relevance of the Organization’s core mission, which is “to promote a fruitful diversity of cultures … that not only gives meaning to our differences, but also, and even more importantly, demonstrates our common belonging to humanity,” in the words of UNESCO Director-General Ko_chiro Matsuura.

In presenting this event, H_l_ne-Marie Gosselin, UN Coordinator for Expo 2005 and currently Director of the UNESCO Office in Kingston, Jamaica, pointed out that, in addition to celebrating cultural diversity, the United Nations pavilion would focus on biodiversity, people and the environment in which they live and work, and initiatives for peace. Ms Gosselin said she would ensure that the pavilion truly represents the extraordinary diversity of the work of the UN system organizations by drawing on a wide range of contributions and ideas from throughout the system. She hoped that visitors to the pavilion would go away with a greater understanding and appreciation of the efforts of the United Nations to promote harmony and justice in the world.

On this occasion, she also expressed her appreciation for the generous support provided by the sponsors of the UN pavilion, in both the private and public sectors, in particular, the Japan Arteriosclerosis Prevention Fund.