Larissa Veloz presents her credentials to UNESCO

Paris, France.-  Ambassador Larissa Veloz formally presented her credentials to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, officially assuming her role as the Dominican Republic’s permanent delegate to the organization. Following the ceremony, Veloz met with Azoulay to reaffirm the country’s commitment to multilateralism, cultural heritage protection, and advancements in education and science.

A key topic of discussion was the nomination of the Cuevas del Borbón or Pomier Anthropological Reserve Natural Monument for World Heritage status. Veloz emphasized the site’s archaeological significance, home to over 6,000 pictographs and 500 petroglyphs, and sought UNESCO’s support in strengthening its candidacy. Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to protecting cultural and natural heritage in the region.

Ambassador Veloz also highlighted past successes, such as the recognition of casabe as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which bolstered Dominican gastronomy’s global standing. She reiterated the country’s commitment to collaborating with UNESCO on cultural preservation, environmental protection, and integrating culture into the post-2030 global development agenda.