The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Chui Sai On, will be leaving for Turkey today (13 September) to participate in the Third Round Table of the Ministers of Culture. Mr. Chui was invited to attend by the UNESCO director, Koichiro Matsuura.

The Round Table theme will be "Intangible Cultural Heritage-a Mirror of Cultural Diversity," and will take place in Istanbul on 16 and 17 of September. More than 55 countries and territories will participate in the meeting.

Chui Sai On said that with the support of the Central Government and of the local population, Macao is candidate for UNESCO patrimony some of its historical buildings and places. And to have success, MSAR Government will take all the opportunities to promote Macao at international level.

After the Round Table, Chui Sai On will depart for Beijing to meet with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the association of the elderly of China, and with the Red Cross of China. This will be an opportunity to exchange views about social assistance, protection of the rights of the elderly, as well as a chance to discuss policies regarding the protection of disabled people.