UNESCO and Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division on Tuesday agreed to enhance cooperation on the field of Heritage and Cultural Protection in Pakistan.
It was decided during a meeting held here between the Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi and The UNESCO Representative in Pakistan is Mr. Fuad Pashayev. Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division Asad Rehman Gillani was also present at the meeting.
UNESCO Representative showed keen interest in the protection of Pakistan’s more tangible cultural heritage.
The UNESCO Representative sought Ministry of National Heritage support in this regard and discussed all possible ways to protect the heritage sites.
Chief UNESCO said his organization was keen to support Pakistan in preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage from dances to languages from education to women empowerment and from ancient sites to museums.
He said Pakistan was equipped with rich cultural potential, and UNESCO had taken a number of steps for its preservation and promotion.
UNESCO, he said, while focusing on protection of world heritage sites in Pakistan in collaboration with national authorities, has carried out a number of conservation projects at various sites from Gandhara to Indus civilization and Mughal-era monuments, she said.
He said major modalities involved in all these interventions focused on capacity building of national staff through training workshops, carrying out site studies, engaging international expertise, reinforcing and establishing research and documentation centers and following international standards of conservation and protection.
He said we are great fully cooperating with Pakistan in preservation of Heritage and Culture of the country.
Meanwhile, the minister said that we are looking forward to taking more steps in this regard. He lauded the support of UNECSO in preservation of Pakistan Culture and heritage.
The minister suggested more sites that need to be preserved with the support of UNESCO.
He informed that we already have many sites that were protected by UNESCO.
The minister also lauded, Mr. Fuad Pashayev for taking charge as UNESCO Representative in Pakistan, adding this is a great opportunity for us to work under your guidance.
Minister also extended pleasure for UNESCO support, adding the cooperation between the two sides is great.
Mr Khichi also discussed the Under Water Heritage Conference with the Representative of UNESCO.
Minister also assured for full cooperation with UNESCO in preservation of Heritage sites and their data.
He also invited the Chief of UNESCO to visit Pakistan’s museums and see how Pakistan’s rich cultural sites like Mohanjodoro and Takhbai are preserved.
On the occasion, 4 days trying workshops for capacity building of the staff of Heritage institutions is scheduled in Peshawar from 3-6 November. This workshop aimed at strengthening the management through capacity building of the such institutions.
