PARIS, OCT 11 (DNA) – Pakistan Government welcomes UNESCO’s help for its broad based agenda for the social sector development, especially in the fields of education, health, empowerment of women and preservation of cultural heritage.

This was stated by the Ambassador the Permanent Delegate of Pakistan to UNESCO in his statement at the landmark 200^th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board held in Paris, France, today.

The session was presided by Ambassador Michael Worbs from Germany and was also attended by Madam Irina Bokova Director-General of UNESCO and other fifty eight executive board members.

In his statement, the Ambassador said that Pakistan attaches high priority to education considering it as an enabler for peace and development.

The Ambassador added that due to various initiatives of UNESCO, a steady progress has been made to increase literacy rate and improve quality of education in Pakistan. Pakistan’s donation of $ 10 million to UNESCO Malala Fund demonstrates our commitment to promoting girl child education globally.

Mr. Moin ul Haque said that Pakistan is also determined to promote gender equality and empowerment of women. Today in Pakistan, many women are playing their role active and productive role in every walk of life including politics.

He assured the Executive Board that Pakistan would continue to lend strong support to the international community in creating a just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met.

He called upon the member states for their commitment, financial assistance and unwavering political support to help UNESCO achieve its objectives.

Pakistan has been an active and continues member of the UNESCO executive Board since 1951 except for a brief period between 1974 and 1978.=DNA

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