Brazil Strongly Supports UNESCO

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said her country strongly supports the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"You can count on Brazil," said Rousseff in a meeting with General Director of Unesco, Irina Bokova.

In a visit to UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Rousseff extolled the recent entry of Palestine into UNESCO, which demonstrates the extreme relevance of the UN body.

After choosing Palestine as a full member of UNESCO, the United States and Israel withdrew their contributions to the institution´s budget.

Canada announced that it would maintain its basic fee, but would not make additional payments.

The UNESCO joining of Palestine was approved by a large majority of countries in a historic voting at the 36th General Assembly.