Thousands have learned about UN at the 30th Tehran International Book Fair

UNIC Tehran has been coordinating the participation of the UN Agencies at the Tehran International Book Fair for fourteenth years. This year it was 30th Book Fair, which was organized in Tehran during 3-13 May 2017 under the slogan “Let’s Read One More Book”, AVA Diplomatic reports.

“Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri and a number of Iranian officials, lawmakers and as well as foreign ambassadors and authors attended the inaugural ceremony of the cultural event on 2 May 2017.

Some 2,782 publishers, including 2,643 domestic and 139 foreign companies from 110 countries, had their books on display in an area of 135,000 square meters”.

The Fair is considered the most significant event of its kind in Asia and the Middle East and presented as a major platform for publishers and book-lovers to exchange opinions and experiences. The UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Gary Lewis delivered a speech on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the second day of the Fair on Thursday 4 May 2017 at the Scientific and Cultural Penmen House (Sara-ye Ahl-e Ghalam Elmi-Farhangi), and answered questions from the audience. Mr. Lewis visited the international hall and the United Nations booth. UNFPA Representative Dr.Leila Saiji Joudane and Dr. Maria Dotsenko UNIC Director also visited the UN booth as well as some Ambassadors and high ranking Iranian officials.

The success of UN booth was due to the presence of the following eight agencies: Food and Agriculture organization (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM),UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN-Habitat, UN Information Centre (UNIC) and World Health Organization (WHO).

“During the 11-day Fair, a large number of people visited the UN booth, where UN information materials including: books, reports, pamphlets, flyers, CDs, videos and posters were displayed and given to them. My team from UNIC and UN were happy to answer questions from the public,” said Ms. Nazanin Ghaemmaghami, UNIC Reference Assistant/Librarian.

“It’s a great opportunity to promote UN values and its work in Iran and to enjoy the direct and open dialogue with the public,” she added.

“The UN booth was well visible because of the enthusiastic efforts of UN agencies’ staff, UNIC interns and volunteers. Also we really appreciate the support of the organizers of the Fair, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture and Islamic Guidance, who provided UN with the prominent venue for UN booth and we are looking forward to future cooperation,” said Dr. Maria Dotsenko, UNIC Director.