Doha / Information Office / January 27

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) emphasized the State of Qatar's growing role in the field of culture, saying that Qatar remains an essential partner for it and that cooperation between them is a source of pride for the organization.

Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External relations at UNESCO Firmin Matoko, in a message marking the 50th anniversary of Qatar's accession to UNESCO, praised the State of Qatar's contribution to the Heritage Emergency Fund through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), and its role in the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and the World Heritage Committee.

He said that Qatar's efforts are clearly visible in protecting its heritage and culture by listing the archaeological site of Al Zubarah as a World Heritage site in 2013, and the choosing Doha as an innovative city for design in 2021.

Matoko thanked and congratulated the government and people of Qatar for cooperating with UNESCO at this historic moment, as Jan. 27, 2022, marks the 50th anniversary of Qatar's membership in the organization.

For 50 years, UNESCO has built strong cooperation with Qatar in all its fields of specialties through a wide range of programs and initiatives, he added.

The State of Qatar has always been at the forefront of the organization's work, as it has hosted the UNESCO office for the Gulf States and Yemen since 1976, he pointed out. The partnership is wide-ranging and pivotal to UNESCO's mission in the fields of education and culture, he added.

He noted that in the field of education, for example, UNESCO is working with the Education Above All Foundation to lead projects in Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan, Thailand, Afghanistan, and many other countries.

Through joint efforts, the organization has promoted and expanded the fourth goal of sustainable development at a global level, and thanks to the State of Qatar, the United Nations adopted the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring Sep. 9 the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

The Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External relations said that the cooperation between Qatar and UNESCO is a source of pride for the organization. He noted that the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, came to Qatar on her first official visit from Dec. 8 to 10, 2021.

Matoko said reflecting on our common history makes us look to the future with hope, and Qatar is already at the forefront of the immediate challenges in our fields of specialties.

He expressed his confidence that Qatar will remain an essential partner as UNESCO addresses emerging issues through its multiple initiatives, such as the adoption of the recommendation on the ethics of artificial intelligence, the future of education report, as well as efforts to support education for sustainable development and small island developing states.

He concluded his message by saying that on this day, the organization reaffirms its full commitment to cooperate with Qatar and thanks Qatar once again for its long-term cooperation.