Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan to visit UNESCO

• © UNESCO/Michel Ravassard
• Koïchiro Matsuura and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan will visit UNESCO on 3 April, on the occasion of the annual meeting of Goodwill Ambassadors. During this visit a cooperation agreement will be signed between the Jordan River Foundation, which she chairs, and UNESCO. “The Night of Jordanian Treasures”, a performance of Jordanian dances and music in Queen Rania’s presence, will follow the signing.

The cooperation agreement will be signed by Maha Khatib, Director-General of the Jordan River Foundation, and Qian Tang, Deputy Assistant-Director General for Education, in the presence of the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, and the Queen of Jordan.

Founded in 1995 by Queen Rania, the Jordan River Foundation is a non-governmental organization working to promote, in partnership with stakeholders, the development of a dynamic Jordanian society by initiating and supporting sustainable social, economic and cultural programmes that empower communities and individuals based on their needs and priorities.

The cooperation agreement aims to identify and establish joint projects in different areas: child protection, literacy, teacher training, formal and non-formal education and children’s rights.

After the signing, which will take place at 6.30 p.m. in the Salle des Actes, the Queen of Jordan will meet UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassadors.

“The Night of Jordanian Treasures”, a performance of traditional dance and music placed under the patronage of the Queen, will begin at 6.30 p.m. (Room I). The artists will present different facets of Jordan’s performing arts heritage. Pianist and composer Zade Dirani will portray various aspects of the communities that comprise the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, playing his own compositions that blend oriental and contemporary western influences. The Performing Arts Centre will perform Dabkeh, a community dance to celebrate weddings and other festive occasions; the national music conservatory will then present the group Mahabeesh which uses the Mehbash, a tool used to grind coffee as a percussion instrument. Finally the Circassian dance group Al Ahli will demonstrate the virtuosity of its performers in the Qafa, royal dance describing the grace, agility and dignity of the Circassians, and the Islameh, a dance celebrating life and liberty. The evening, presented by French journalist Stéphane Bern, will end at 8 p.m.

An exhibition (2 to 6 April) in the Espace Monaco (Room I) will feature traditional and contemporary handicrafts produced by the Jordan River Foundation, as well as photographs of Jordan.


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For the press:


Please note:



· A photo opportunity is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the Queen of Jordan and the Director-General of UNESCO in Room I (in front of the stage).

· For photographers and cameramen, a pool established by UNESCO will cover the Queen’s arrival and the signature of the accord in Room V.

· Other journalists (written press, photographers and cameramen) will go directly to the mezzanine in Room I.

· During the speeches given by UNESCO’s Director-General and the Queen, all photographers and cameramen can work in front of the stage. At the end of the speeches, they must return to the mezzanine.

· UNESCO will transmit images of the event live through the SERTE network from 6.30 p.m.

· A video summary will be handed out during the evening.

Journalists are kindly requested to obtain their accreditation before 12 noon, 2 April, and to arrive at UNESCO before 6 p.m. (7, Place de Fontenoy entrance).

• Author(s):Media Advisory No. 2007 – 18
• Source:UNESCOPRESS
• 30-03-2007