U.S. first lady Laura Bush began a three-day visit to Paris on Monday by participating in a roundtable discussion on the fight against illiteracy held by the United Nation's Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO).

"The elimination of illiteracy is a challenge facing all nations," said the first lady during the discussion.

"Investing in the fight against illiteracy and in education helps governments to fulfill their fundamental obligations: of improving opportunities for children and families, strengthening their economic status and safeguarding their good health," said Laura Bush.

According to UNESCO General Director Koichiro Matsuura, almost 781 million adults in the world are illiterate. "We have to add 77 million children who do not have access to education and cannot therefore acquire basic literacy," added he.

The roundtable discussion in which representatives from UNESCO delegations are participating is a prelude to the first regional UNESCO conference on the fight against illiteracy to be held in Qatar in March. This conference will be followed by another one for Africa and three others for Latin America, Europe and Central Asia.

During her visit, Laura Bush will also be present at a conference on lost or exploited children at the presidential palace l'Elysee on Wednesday, at the invitation of French first lady Bernadette Chirac.

Source: Xinhua