Monaco’s Commitment at UNESCO on the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

©DR

On the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, observed each year on 27 January, the Principality of Monaco took part in the commemorative events held on 26 and 27 January 2026 at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.

The Permanent Delegation of Monaco to UNESCO was represented by Ms Séverine Dusaintpère, Deputy Permanent Delegate. This commemoration marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp and provided a key moment for remembrance and reflection, reaffirming the commitment of UNESCO and its Member States to combat antisemitism, racism and all forms of intolerance.

The Principality actively supports UNESCO’s initiatives devoted to Holocaust remembrance. For several years, it has contributed to the funding of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, as well as to the Holocaust Remembrance Fund, which notably promotes education on the history of the Shoah. Passing on this memory is essential to fostering respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the values of tolerance and mutual respect.

The official ceremony was held on 27 January in the presence of Mr Khaled El-Enany, newly appointed Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Jacques Fredj, Director of the Mémorial de la Shoah, and Mr Léon Placek, a survivor of the Shoah. The ceremony featured the screening of the short film Les Immortels by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, highlighting the importance of intergenerational dialogue in preserving the memory of the Holocaust. As was underscored during the event, “with the gradual passing of survivors, we are entering an era in which lived moral testimony gives way to history.”

The day before, the Monegasque Delegation also took part in an informal meeting entitled “Combating antisemitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust”, organised by the Permanent Delegations of France and Germany, UNESCO, the World Jewish Congress, the CRIF, and the Mémorial de la Shoah. Discussions focused on the current challenges arising from the increase in antisemitic acts and on ways to strengthen prevention and awareness-raising efforts.

Lastly, UNESCO published a study entitled “Addressing antisemitism through education: a survey of teachers’ knowledge and understanding”, revealing that more than three quarters of teachers in the European Union have encountered antisemitic incidents in school settings, and underscoring the urgent need to reinforce prevention and awareness, particularly through education.

Addressing antisemitism through education: a survey of teachers’ knowledge and understanding (English): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/addressing-antisemitism-through-education-survey-teachers-knowledge-and-understanding 

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/official-ceremony-international-day-commemoration-memory-victims-holocaust