|
Statement by the leader of Pakistan’s Delegation
to General Policy Debate at
32nd Session of the UNESCO General Conference
29th September - 17th October, 2003, PARIS
Statement Given on October 1, 2003
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate, Mr. President,
Chairperson of the Executive Board Mr. Koïchiro Matsura Director General of UNESCO Heads
and Members of Delegations Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen Assalam-o-Alaikum
(PEACE BE UPON YOU)
1. On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, it is an
honor to participate
in the 32nd General Conference of UNESCO. Pakistan welcomes the return of the USA to UNESCO
and the entry of Timor-leste. We look forward to working with them in our expanded family.
This is the second General Conference in the new millennium, providing us an opportunity to
explore together the promotion of universal human rights amidst corporate globalization,
diversity and respect for cultural contexts. Culture for me, is an amalgam of the spiritual,
zmaterial, intellectual and the emotional dimensions embedded in the dynamic interpretation of fundamental human rights and
values of a given society. I would like to acknowledge Director General Mr. Koïchiro Matsura
and his team at UNESCO for taking forward the challenges of an increasing complex world through
holistic innovative programmes and institutional mechanisms.
|
2. Let
us be reminded as we negotiate globalization, tolerance, peace, education and
learning technologies, that this needs to be undertaken through a human lens in
locations which have multi-layered histories. We uphold and respect diversity
and
preservation of our living heritage, both intangible and
tangible. Pakistan is the seat of the world’s leading Civilizations dating back to 9000 B.C
when the first village was found at Mehargarh in Balochistan. The Indus Civilization is the
first literate Civilization of the subcontinent, which thrived on science, technology, arts
and crafts, and much more. We, in Pakistan seek an asset-based relationship with UNESCO where
we can interact through each other’s comparative advantage.
3. UNESCO’s Medium-Term
Strategy 2002-2007 is premised on decentralization, quality and knowledge based societies.
Since 2001 we are engaged in country
|
