Australian Ambassador Alison Dunkan speaks at an event marking ANZAC Day at the Commonwealth Cemetery in Athens, on April 25. [@AusAmbAthens X account]
Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, has said that the only reason behind her country’s decision not co-sponsor a UNESCO proposal on the proclamation of February 9 as World Greek Language Day were the caretaker conventions ahead of the federal election, Neos Kosmos reported on Tuesday.
The proposal was adopted by consensus by the Executive Board of UNESCO earlier in April, but Australia was not among the 87 member states that co-sponsored it, sparking community backlash and criticism by Greek community leaders in Australia.
Ambassador Duncan dismissed reports that Australia is not supportive of the move. “The way it was reported made it sound like Australia was not supporting Greece in that particular issue. And it’s not the case,” she was quoted as saying by Neos Kosmos on Friday.
“The reality is that at that UNESCO meeting there were dozens of agenda items, and we didn’t co-sponsor any of them because we are in a caretaker period of government.”
While not legally binding, adherence to caretaker conventions requires the government to stick to routine business and not undertake a range of commitments, including of international nature, the news report said.
The official proclamation of February 9 as World Greek Language Day is set to take place during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in November 2025.
