DOHA: The Qatar Development Fund (QDF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) yesterday signed their first Memorandum of Understanding to support Unesco in conserving world heritage sites in areas hit by natural and human-made disasters.
The MoU provides a $2m grant as part of a 2014 pledge by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to donate $10m for implementation of Unesco’s programme for protection of cultural and natural heritage in emergency situations.
Unesco’s Programme for Heritage Emergency Preparedness and Response aims to enhance Unesco’s ability to assist member states in reducing the risks to their cultural and natural heritage and ensure a timely and effective response in emergency situations to ensure their safeguarding.
Irina Bokova, Director-General of Unesco said: “This contribution is a direct response to the destruction of cultural heritage in times of conflict, and I take this as a call for all Member States and partners to join forces to halt cultural cleansing.”
Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari, QDF’s Director General said: “The Qatar Development Fund is committed to protecting and preserving heritage globally, by supporting the Heritage Emergency Fund. We believe that our contribution will act as a catalyst that will trigger multiple donors’ engagement in safeguarding heritage that is in danger of being lost forever through catastrophes, conflicts and neglect.”
The Heritage Emergency Fund will support capacity building and training activities for professionals in conflict situations and emergency response activities.
Signed in the Unesco headquarters in Paris, the agreement comes as the 38th session of the General Conference of Unesco has adopted a comprehensive strategy for the protection and promotion of culture and pluralism in times of war.
The Peninsula
DOHA: The Qatar Development Fund (QDF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) yesterday signed their first Memorandum of Understanding to support Unesco in conserving world heritage sites in areas hit by natural and human-made disasters.
The MoU provides a $2m grant as part of a 2014 pledge by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to donate $10m for implementation of Unesco’s programme for protection of cultural and natural heritage in emergency situations.
Unesco’s Programme for Heritage Emergency Preparedness and Response aims to enhance Unesco’s ability to assist member states in reducing the risks to their cultural and natural heritage and ensure a timely and effective response in emergency situations to ensure their safeguarding.
Irina Bokova, Director-General of Unesco said: “This contribution is a direct response to the destruction of cultural heritage in times of conflict, and I take this as a call for all Member States and partners to join forces to halt cultural cleansing.”
Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari, QDF’s Director General said: “The Qatar Development Fund is committed to protecting and preserving heritage globally, by supporting the Heritage Emergency Fund. We believe that our contribution will act as a catalyst that will trigger multiple donors’ engagement in safeguarding heritage that is in danger of being lost forever through catastrophes, conflicts and neglect.”
The Heritage Emergency Fund will support capacity building and training activities for professionals in conflict situations and emergency response activities.
Signed in the Unesco headquarters in Paris, the agreement comes as the 38th session of the General Conference of Unesco has adopted a comprehensive strategy for the protection and promotion of culture and pluralism in times of war.
The Peninsula
