Presentation of Credentials by H.E. Mr. Moin-ul-Haque at UNESCO

Pakistan Places great emphasis on the cause of Education at National level

The Ambassador of Pakistan to UNESCO Mr. Moin ul Haque has said that Pakistan places great emphasis on the cause of Education at national level. He said this while presenting his credentials to Ms. Irina Bokova, Director General UNESCO as Permanent Delegate/Ambassador of Pakistan to the prestigious UN organization here this morning. ADG UNESCO Mr. Eric Falt and Deputy Permanent Delegate of Pakistan to UNESCO Mr. Sajid Baloch were also present.

Our Constitutional provision, 25-A, had established Education 'a Fundamental Right' for 
all children till the age of 16 years.

The Ambassador told the DG that Pakistan had included Constitutional provision 25-A to make Education a Fundamental Right till the age of 16 years. Our parliament has passed “The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012”, he said. He thanked the DG for raising the cause of Education, especially girl’s right to Education and Malala Fund at various global fora. He informed the DG that Pakistan has the honor of being the present Chair of E-9 member states, which comprise over half the world’s population. The Permanent Delegate/Ambassador appreciated the close working relationship between Pakistan and UNESCO and the personal commitment of Director General, UNESCO, which had been mutually beneficial. The Ambassador informed that Pakistan had always pro-actively supported UNESCO, including the discussions in Executive Board meetings, and that it will continue to do so.

“We believe that continued interventions in these sectors will bring nations together and eventually improve the lives of the common people”

The Ambassador further said that Pakistan acknowledged and strongly supported the key role played by UNESCO in the most important sectors of education, culture and science. “We believe that continued interventions in these sectors will bring nations together and eventually improve the lives of the common people”, he said. The Ambassador informed that Pakistan was making best efforts for bringing solid and positive results in UNECSO’s areas of competence including Culture, Science & Technology, and Information & Communication. However, there were some issues of capacity and resource constraints, he said. He said that Pakistan welcomed collaboration in areas like Science, ICT etc. The Ambassador assured that Pakistan will extend full help and co-operation to UNESCO in implementation of its plans and policies. The Ambassador informed that the vibrant and rich cultural heritage of Pakistan was an asset that we intended to preserve for our coming generations.

The Director General UNESCO appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan in UNESCO, and observed that Pakistan is one of the most active countries who participate meaningfully as the elected member of Executive Board, in all important committees and bodies of UNESCO. She expressed her pleasure over the civil award given to her by Government of Pakistan, and her fruitful visit to Pakistan.

The Director General UNESCO appreciated the active contribution of Pakistan especially its Permanent Delegation, as a member of SDG Education Steering Committee and Chair of E-9 Initiative, in the drafting and finalization of the Education Agenda 2030 Framework for Action, as well as targets and indicators. She also supported the valid ambitions and aspirations of Pakistan and other E-9 countries. The DG informed that UNESCO hopes that more donors will come forward to support the initiative of Malala Fund for Girls Education in the near future. The Director General also invited Pakistan to explore and share the areas of further co-operation at country level, including science and culture.

The Director General encouraged Pakistan to consider ratifying the “Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 2005”. She stated that Pakistan has rich culture and a variety of cultural crafts as well as cultural industry.

Pakistan became a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 14th September 1949. Pakistan was elected to the prestigious UNESCO Executive Board in November 2015.