Paris: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, Monday opened the conference hall in the Unesco headquarters in Paris.
He gave a speech during the 39th session of the Unesco general conference in the presence Dr Irina Bokova, Director-General of Unesco and representatives of member states of the UN organisation.
“The UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, encourage all Unesco’s initiatives on education and culture as well as on the preservation of global human heritage,” Shaikh Hamdan said.
Shaikh Hamdan urged countries to support Unesco and enable it to play its role and carry out its mission efficiently. “We, in the UAE, renew our commitment to providing all that’s needed to enhance the efforts of the organisation and its goals.
He expressed his delight over the renovation of the conference hall at a cost of $6 million (Dh22 million). Shaikh Hamdan funded the renovation of the hall, which is equipped with the latest voice and lighting systems to host conferences organised by the organisation.
Shaikh Hamdan reiterated the UAE’s commitment, with all its humanitarian and charitable foundations, to provide all forms of financial and moral support for Unesco to help it promote the culture of tolerance and peace among all nations in the world through its projects and initiatives in various parts of the world, especially in Third World countries.
In her inaugural speech at the 39th conference, Bokova praised the UAE’s support for all programmes and projects on education, culture, research and protection of human heritage that are carried out by Unesco.
She lauded Shaikh Hamdan’s efforts and support towards Unesco which has helped it perform its mission.
Earlier, Shaikh Hamdan and Bokova unveiled the plaque of the conference hall, which was recently renovated. Shaikh Hamdan also attended the signing of a cooperation and partnership agreement between the Hamdan Fund and Unesco.
