PARIS, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait was elected Monday as a member at the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee for a four-year term.
The election took place during the 25th session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Paris.
Celebrating this achievement, Secretary General of Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Dr. Mohammad Al-Jasser told KUNA that this election demonstrates Kuwait's outstanding regional and international cultural status.
It also shows the world's recognition of Kuwait's rich culture and heritage, Al-Jasser said, expressing pride of Kuwait's winning of the UNESCO committee seat.
It is an important turning point in Kuwait's cultural work as it would strengthen its role in shaping international policies related to the preservation of world heritage, Dr. Al-Jassar clarified.
This success was the result of Kuwait's political leadership unlimited support to culture and arts as well as the strenuous efforts of the Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and NCCAL Chairman Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi to promote national culture and heritage as well as upgrading Kuwait's representation at international cultural bodies.
Al-Jasser also praised the "exceptional role" of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Delegation of the State of Kuwait to UNESCO in securing support for the State of Kuwait in the election.
He affirmed that the NCCAL would continue its efforts to enhance Kuwait's role in the Committee and working to qualify Kuwait's tangible heritage sites for inscription on the World Heritage List and support international initiatives aimed at preserving tangible heritage.
He underlined the importance of the World Heritage sites in support to tourism, economic development and cultural rapprochement between countries.
The 21-member Committee serves as UNESCO's main executive body overseeing the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
Its mandate includes supervising the formation of the UNESCO World Heritage List, ensuring the recognition, conservation and transmission of cultural and natural heritage to future generations.
The Committee is also responsible for determining the use of the World Heritage Fund, providing financial assistance for conservation, management plans, emergency interventions and capacity-building projects for member states. (end) shd.ibi