France, Oct. 3 -- The UN's scientific and cultural agency, Unesco, faces criticism for being slow, politicised and short of funds. As it prepares to choose a successor to its French director general, Audrey Azoulay, on Monday, Congolese veteran Firmin Edouard Matoko tells RFI that his three decades inside the organisation are an asset - not a liability - in fixing it.

RFI: What is your vision for Unesco if you are elected?

Firmin Edouard Matoko:Well, I think that what we need to do is quickly come up with pragmatic solutions to the problems with the United Nations system - its inefficiency, its extreme bureaucracy and its politicisation.

I think we can do more, we can do better. What I propose is a reflection on the mission and mandate...