Kuwait reiterates backing to world peace, human development

Kuwaiti Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nayef Al-Hajraf reaffirmed here Friday his country's support for ongoing efforts to notch up world peace and human development. Addressing the the 37th UNESCO General Conference held here, he said Kuwait supports the policy of world rapprochement and understanding for the sake of peace and human development. The Kuwaiti minister spoke highly of the significant role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in this domain. "At the behest of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, we, in the State of Kuwait, throw much weight behind the policy of world rapprochement and understanding and peaceful solutions to conflicts," he said. "Our world is embroiled in mounting cultural conflicts which require the UNESCO to double its efforts to set out constructive programs and take necessary international steps to address such conflicts," he said. Kuwait believes in the paramount significance of cultural and intellectual diversity and advocates continuing dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and in line with relevant international conventions, he added. Al-Hajraf underlined the necessity of exerting concerted world efforts to fulfill the expectations and hopes of young people and to reformulate school curricula pursuant to the general principles of the UNESCO, while maintaining the cultural and religious identity of societies. The minister also called for providing high-quality education to children in order to wipe out the root causes of extremism, intolerance and fanaticism. In this context, he appreciated the UNESCO's role in the dissemination of values of peace, amity and tolerance among world people, pointing to Kuwait's USD 3.5-million donation to the world cultural body. Eight Kuwaiti delegations, led by Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nayef Al-Hajraf, are taking part in the UNESCO gathering. Several Heads of State and some 150 ministers and delegates from all 195 UNESCO Member States are gathering in Paris for 15 days for the Organization's General Conference. This 37th session will shape the Organization's strategy and direction for the next eight years. The Conference is also expected to confirm another four-year term for Irina Bokova as Director-General. She was nominated for a second term by UNESCO's Executive Board last month. The 37th session of the General Conference featured a new edition of the Leaders' Forum on 6 November. This forward-looking policy dialogue involves Heads of State and/or Government as well as representatives of Member States at ministerial level to address issues of strategic, global and interdisciplinary interest with a view to providing general orientations for the future work of the broader UNESCO community.