UNESCO

The occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of books and reading, as well as the protection of intellectual property rights.

UNESCO has identified Papua New Guinea (PNG) as the world's most linguistically diverse country, with Australia ranking sixth on the list. This recognition underscores the rich cultural diversity within these nations, as reflected in their languages and literature.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US decision as "brave and moral", a statement said.

The agency is known for designating world heritage sites such as Syria's Palmyra and the US Grand Canyon.

Unesco head Irina Bokova earlier called the US withdrawal a matter of "profound regret".

The US withdrawal will become effective at the end of December 2018 - until then, the US will remain a full member. The US will establish an observer mission at the Paris-based organisation to replace its representation, the state department said.

“It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics,” says the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Every year, this particular date celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom.

“It serves to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession,” says UNESCO.

The draft decision notes the importance of Jerusalem to all three monotheistic religions -- Christianity, Judaism and Islam -- but makes no mention of why the city is significant to Christians or Jews. A subsidiary body of UNESCO's Executive Board passed the resolution Thursday in Paris.

It refers to Jerusalem's holiest site -- known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary -- only by its Muslim name.

The draft decision notes the importance of Jerusalem to all three monotheistic religions -- Christianity, Judaism and Islam -- but makes no mention of why the city is significant to Christians or Jews. A subsidiary body of UNESCO's Executive Board passed the resolution Thursday in Paris.

It refers to Jerusalem's holiest site -- known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary -- only by its Muslim name.

The United Nations have adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the world’s future, through to 2030. These goals are reinforced through 169 detailed targets agreed to by nearly all the world’s nations, on September 25, 2015 in New York.

Secretary-General for the Papua New Guinea National Commission for UNESCO Andrew Angobe says the SDGs have presented an opportunity for most countries in the Asia Pacific region to mobilize its resources to embark on a new path to improve the lives of its people.

WPFD celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

More than 100 national celebrations take place each year to commemorate this day.

UNESCO leads the worldwide celebration by identifying the global thematic and organising the main event in different parts of world every year.

The coalition's airstrikes hit an apartment building in the center of the capital, a UNESCO world heritage site, killing a family of nine, the officials who remain neutral in the conflict that has divided Yemen's security forces said.

One more civilian was killed and the search for more that may be buried under rubble is ongoing. The rebels, known as Houthis, lost 19 fighters in the overnight attack, the officials said.

The renewed call came at the end of a workshop on the Fight against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Objects in Vanuatu last week.

The director of the UNESCO Office for the Pacific states, Etienne Clement, says the convention is important for protecting the unique culture of the region.

"Which has been joined in by 129 countries all over the world but unfortunately none in the Pacific. So the workshop is really to invite the Pacific to join that convention, which is a benefit for the Pacific."

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, meeting in Bonn, noted the Islamic State's destruction of the ancient city of Hatra in Iraq and expressed "deep concern" about the Syrian archaeological gem of Palmyra, which the group captured in May. 

Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

"Intentional attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes and historic monuments may amount to war crimes," the committee said in a resolution it adopted.