UNESCO hosts the 11th Coordination Meeting of Heads of Delegations of ISESCO’s Member States participating at the 38th General Conference

Paris, 9 November 2015 - The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) held today the 11th Coordination Meeting of Heads of Delegations, at UNESCO Headquarters in the context of the 38th session of the General Conference. The event, which gathered Representatives of the Members States common to UNESCO and ISESCO, discussed cooperation among Member States, ISESCO and UNESCO.

In his introductory remarks, Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director-General of ISESCO, noted “the shining model of international cooperation between the two organizations with common interests and concerns to achieve noble goals on the basis of the principles and objectives enshrined in their respective charters” referring to the imperatives of reaching a comprehensive sustainable development in the Islamic world, through the development of stronger capabilities and skills in the Member States in particular in the areas of education and the sciences. 

The Director-General of ISESCO further highlighted the challenges faced by Islamic countries affected by conflicts in the protection and preservation of their ancient heritage, a heritage which is marked by values of respect and tolerance.

Recalling to the depth of the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and Iraq,  the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, referred to a “history of constant dialogue between different peoples and communities, across all cultural and religious lines; a history of a profound culture of tolerance around religious and cultural diversity” adding that “safeguarding  cultural heritage and diversity is essential to the future of our collective history.”

“ISESCO and UNESCO were born from the principle that peace and development in order to be sustainable must be rooted deeply in the hearts and minds of the people. This vision is threatened today, and the time has come to reaffirm this principle together now, more than ever before" declared UNESCO Director-General.

With its fifty-two Member States, ISESCO is a strategic partner of UNESCO, holding a fruitful and longstanding cooperation through a number of projects for the benefit of Islamic countries throughout the world.