UAE | Government
Khalifa grants Unesco chief Independence Order
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan bestowed the Independence Order, First Degree, on Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of Unesco.
- WAM
- Published: 21:28 October 2, 2009
Al Ain: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan bestowed the Independence Order, First Degree, on Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of Unesco.
The honour recognises Matsuura's efforts in serving the organisation as he has come to the end of his tenure. Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's court, presented Matsuura with the honour on Friday evening at his palace in Al Ain
Earlier in Abu Dhabi Matsuura said, during the fourth session of the InterGovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the honour was highly symbolic of the strong cooperation between Unesco and the UAE in the field of culture. Matsuura said this during the closing ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
"Not only are the country's authorities powerfully committed to safeguarding diverse forms of heritage, they have made tremendous efforts in the domain of living cultural expressions," he added.
The Unesco Director General reiterated his profound appreciation and gratitude to the authorities of the UAE for the wonderful and generous hospitality and "above all for their steadfast support for Unesco and our common cause of safeguarding the invaluable intangible heritage of humanity."
Present at the closing ceremony were Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage; Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
The UAE has offered $2million to Unesco and African countries to safeguard the heritage projects.
Latest news
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
- Reader’s issue resolved
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
