ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was fully committed to the mandate and principles espoused by UNESCO and appreciated UNESCO’s valuable contributions in promoting dialogue and cultural diversity which had ameliorated lives of millions of people through education and scientific cooperation.
This was stated by MNA Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, while delivering the country’s statement at the 204th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board held at Paris, a press release received from Paris on Tuesday said.
The Executive Board meeting was also attended by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moinul Haque and 58 Executive Board members.
Dr Shezra Mansab assured the Executive Board that Pakistan would fulfill its obligations to UNESCO and would continue to work together with the global community in striving for an equitable, just, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world.
She said that the government had embarked on a broad based programme for social sector development, and education, especially girls’ education remained an area of priority.
In this context, she referred to Pakistan’s voluntary contribution of $10 million to setup Malala Fund to supplement UNESCO’s efforts for promoting girls’ education globally.
She also thanked the governments of the Republic of Korea, Italy and Qatar for their substantial contributions to Malala Fund. She welcomed the director general’s proposal for strategic transformation of UNESCO and emphasised that the new reform process should conform to UNESCO’s core mandate, ensure inclusiveness and transparency and preserve intergovernmental character of UNESCO.
During her stay in Paris Dr Shezra would also meet with the president of General Conference, president of Executive Board and senior officials of UNESCO Secretariat.
