PARIS, Nov 10 — Malaysia will be vying for a seat in the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for the 2015-2019 term.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture) said this followed the greenlight given by the Cabinet on October 25 to a proposal by the Education Ministry to contest for a Unesco executive board seat for the sixth time.

“Since we became a member of Unesco in 1958, we have sat in the board for five times, 1978 to 1983, 1987-1991, 1999-2003 and the last time from 2007 to 2011.

“During our tenure as (a board) member, we were actively involved in formulating policies and studying the effectiveness of programmes as well as

Unesco activities, especially in science, culture, social science, communications and information,” he told Malaysian journalists here yesterday.

He said it was also the best platform for Malaysia to share its views and practices with other Unesco members besides ensuring the interest and stand of Malaysia was heard at international level.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the Malaysian National Commission for Unesco permanent sub-committee chaired by him had drafted several strategies to obtain the support of Unesco member countries.

“Among them are through organising international conferences with the cooperation of Unesco such as the Vocational and Technical Education Conference which will be held in Kuala Lumpur later.

“Other initiatives include a joint campaign with the Tourism and Culture Ministry whereby we will hold exhibitions and presentations,” he said.

Apart from that, Muhyiddin said he had informed several member leaders on Malaysia’s desire to contest the seat during meetings at the 37th Unesco General Conference held since last Tuesday.

“We hope their representatives would support us at the General Conference in 2015,” said Muhyiddin at the end of his five-day working visit to the French capital to attend the General Conference at Unesco headquarters here.

The Unesco Executive Board comprises 58 countries, each serving a four-year term.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said several leading French companies had also expressed their interest to invest in Malaysia especially in aviation, transportation, logistics and services industries.

In his meeting with French captains of industry on Wednesday, he said there were also companies interested in making Malaysia as their hub to expand to other countries in Southeast Asia.  

“With the free trade agreement signed coupled with our strategic position in Asean countries, it boosted their confidence that Malaysia is most suitable for them to conduct their operations not only for Malaysia but also in the Asean region,” he said.

He also clarified on the Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Agenda and how it would function to ensure the Malaysian economy grew at a more balanced, just and fair pace.

“We assured them that whatever initiatives the government carried out in the country, they were aimed at strengthening the economy of all parties including Bumiputras and should be viewed positively.

“Actually it will help to improve the economy of Malaysia and therefore they should not be worried about the matter,” he said. — Bernama