26 November 2008: Speaking at the International Conference on Biofuels, which took place in São Paulo, Brazil, from 17-21 November 2008, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Deputy Director-General Marcio Barbosa indicated the Organization’s readiness to facilitate dialogue among governments on biofuel technology.

He explained that UNESCO can provide a forum for exchange on this
issue, and highlighted the importance of cooperation for the
sustainable production of biofuels in developing countries. He
described the role UNESCO could play in coordinating international
efforts to facilitate dialogue among countries on biofuels,
highlighting the promotion of technical cooperation, assistance in
defining parameters for biofuels, and strengthening of South-South and
triangular cooperation.
One of UNESCO’s five key priorities for the
next six years is to mobilize science knowledge and policy for
sustainable development. Considering its mandates in education, culture
and communication in addition to the sciences, UNESCO can contribute to
the biofuels debate in a holistic manner, notably in the context of
global climate change, by looking at the social impacts of biofuel
projects and the educational needs of the local communities on the
topic. [UNESCO Press Release]