PARIS, March 25 -- UNESCO is enthusiastic about the imminent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first time a Chinese president will visit the headquarters of the UN agency, its Director-General Irina Bokova told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the UNESCO headquarters on March 27 and deliver a speech touching on subjects such as education, science, culture and communication utilities within the framework of sustainable development.

"I appreciate that China is willing to cooperate with more countries in UNESCO, which will be strong support for multilateralism," Bokova said.

THE CHINESE CONNECTION

UNESCO, founded in 1946, is the largest specialized agency of the United Nations working in educational, scientific and cultural fields. The organization aims to promote cooperation among countries through education, science and culture, and to contribute to world peace and security. Its main bodies include the general assembly, the executive board and the secretariat.

China is one of the founding members of UNESCO, and has been on the executive board since the restoration of UNESCO's activities in 1972. In October 2005, Zhang Xinsheng, the Deputy Minister of Education and the director of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, was elected chairman of UNESCO's executive board.

In April 2010, candidate Tang Qian, was appointed as assistant director-general of UNESCO for education affairs. In November 2013, on the 37th General Assembly of UNESCO, the Vice Minister of Chinese Ministry of Education and the director of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO Hao Ping was elected as the new president of the assembly, the first time for a Chinese representative to be elected as chairman of the meeting.

"China is an important member of UNESCO, not only because China is one of the founding members of UNESCO and UNESCO's cooperation with China, but also of the continuous development through expanded fields covering all areas of UNESCO's mandate has been involved in," Bokova said.

She added the Chinese government had actively supported UNESCO to provide assistance to other countries and regions. "UNESCO's cooperation with China has benefited many countries and regions, and will further expand and develop."

EXPANDING COOPERATION

UNESCO is currently expanding more cooperation with China on the civilian level. "This is a new attempt for UNESCO and I want to congratulate the Chinese private companies who are willing to assume their social responsibility in maintaining world peace and promoting their effort to contribute to sustainable development."

UNESCO and the international community are currently discussing the post 2015 agenda and are in the process of implementing its mid-term strategy adopted by the general conference.

Bokova hoped China would continue working closely on various projects with the UNESCO general conference and executive board, and continue its crucial role in making strategies and carrying out action in related areas.