Skopje, 13 November 2021 (MIA) – The world is far from recovering from the global coronavirus pandemic. Instead of the speed at which news are spread on social media to be an advantage, we are fighting with fake news, conspiracy theories and a virtual life, Culture Minister Irena Stefoska said in a message to the 41^st UNESCO General Conference, taking place from Nov. 9 until Nov. 24 in Paris. On behalf of Stefoska, Ambassador Jadranka Chaushevska-Dimov, North Macedonia’s Resident Representative to UNESCO, read the message at Saturday’s plenary session, in which UNESCO’s general policies in 2021 were discussed. “As scientists dedicated to COVID-19, the way out of the second problem, which targets young people, is quality and modern education. We need to share good practices because globalization has long been here,” Minister Stefoska said in her message adding North Macedonia fully supports UNESCO’s efforts, especially those in tackling the consequences from the coronavirus crisis in education. Amongst other things, she said her country is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage in Ohrid region. “We’re in constant dialogue with the UNESCO World Heritage Center and together with Albania, we want our bilateral cooperation to be example that together we are stronger, wiser and more responsible in protecting our common heritage,” said Stefoska in the message. Participants in the 41^st UNESCO General Conference, who re-elected Audrey Azoulay as secretary general, discuss the 2022-2029 strategy. They are due to adopt recommendations on AI ethics and the program on UNESCO observances in the next couple of years. North Macedonia will mark 100 years since the birth of the poet Aco Shopov. Also, UNESCO marked its 75^th anniversary as part of the 41^st session. The Macedonian national commission joined the observances by releasing documents, photos and a video, which are included in UNESCO’s online anniversary publication.