It is the noble mission of UNESCO to build peace in mind of men and women, thus contributing to the peace, security and prosperity of the world, he said, and went on:

SDGs can be achieved successfully only when all the countries and nations are engaged collectively. And therefore, it requires the international cooperation and collaboration to be further strengthened.

Yet, the efforts of UNESCO and the international community to build a peaceful and civilized world aspired by the humankind are faced with serious challenges.

In accordance with the constant policy of the DPR Korea Government to attach great importance to education and science, universal 12-year compulsory education system has been enforced since 2014.

Higher education system and pedagogical education system are improved and national distant education system and sci-tech network are greatly enhanced as required by the new century, thus the quality of the national education has been further improved.

The Government of the DPR Korea has set forth the target of the building sci-tech power to put the national science and technology on the cutting-edge level of the world and to develop all the sectors by the pivotal role of science and technology.

Research and developments are actively conducted to surpass the cutting-edge, making a great contribution to the power of the country and improvement of people's livelihood.

Such struggle of the Korean people is taking place amidst sanctions of the U.S. and its following forces.

The U.S threats and sanctions to stifle our sovereignty as well as right to existence and right to development give huge negative effects not only on education, science and ICT but also even on sports and everyday life of the people.

Such acts against humanity and civilization which destroy the modern civilization should be put to an end at once.

Despite of the current difficult situation and condition, the Korean people will continue their energetic struggle to build the civilized nation and to achieve the SDGs with the great driving force of self-reliance and self-development and with the strength of science and technology.

The DPR Korea will, in the future, too, further strengthen and develop international cooperation and solidarity under its foreign policy ideals of independence, peace and friendship and actively join UNESCO and other member states in their efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.