The Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova told President Paul Biya that UNESCO will be together with Cameroon in all her development endeavours.

She was responding to the toast pronounced by President Biya at a lunch offered by the Head of State and wife Chantal Biya in honour of Madam Irina Bokova.

The Director General arrived Unity Palace at mid-day and immediately was received in audience by the President of the Republic. At the end of their discussions that lasted over one hour, they joined a host of invitees, made up of senior State personalities, Ministers and members of the Diplomatic corps.

In his toast at the luncheon, President Biya expressed his gratitude to UNESCO for the support given to Cameroon since independence, notably in the fields of education, science and culture.

President Biya cited amongst others the restoration of monuments such as the Foumban palace, the Dja Reserve which has been raised to the status of a world heritage, ENS Yaounde which was set up with the support of UNESCO and a study on the traditional dances of Cameroon carried out and published by UNESCO.

In her response to the toast, the UN official heartily thanked the President of the Republic, the First Lady Chantal, the Government and people of Cameroon for the warm welcome she has enjoyed since her arrival in Cameroon.

She was totally grateful for the surprise decoration she was awarded by the Head of State who raised her to the dignity of Grand Officer of the Order of Valour. She promised that her organisation will stand firmly by Cameroon and accompany her in all her development endeavours.

The Director General of UNESCO will continue her visit to the University of Yaounde I where she will be given a Doctorate Degree Honoris Causa.

She will also visit the Higher Teachers Training College in Yaounde and inaugurate UNESCO offices in Yaounde. Her visit will come to an end later in the evening when she departs from the Nsimalen International Airport.