The Director-General thanked warmly the Minister for hosting the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee on the specialoccasion of the 40th anniversary of the Convention, stating the very special venue of Saint Petersburg, "a unique city permeated by a long history and heritage".
On this specialoccasion, a global movement for a culture of peace was initiated by the United Nations to create a " grand alliance " of existing movements that unites all those already working for a culture of peace in its eight domains of action.