Sheikh Khalifa tells of value of culture in Unesco speech

President's remarks were made on his behalf by Sheikh Nahyan at the 37th Unesco General Conference in Paris this week.

ABU DHABI // The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has stressed the importance of culture, education and development in achieving peace and curbing conflict worldwide.

Sheikh Khalifa’s remarks were made during the 37th General Conference of United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in Paris this week.

“Wisdom is our way to achieve prosperity, spread peace, justice and tolerance worldwide,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Sheikh Khalifa said he was proud of UAE’s strong heritage and values among its people.

He underlined the role of Unesco in strengthening cooperation in education, culture and the sciences, the state news agency Wam reported.

“This event, gathering world leaders, evokes major challenges facing the world in the areas of economy, environment, water, food, energy, extremism, terrorism, conflicts and demographic changes,” Sheikh Khalifa said.

“All these challenges require us to specify the role of culture in tackling these issues and problems through identifying the responsibility of Unesco, which will help to fill gaps in education, health, women’s rights, IT and the economy.

“We are proud in the UAE that our civilisation has provided an integral system of authentic heritage values that constitute the framework of our life and encourage understanding between us and the peoples of the world.

“Our culture is universal and reinforces our sense of belonging to the world.”