Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis Timothy Harris (right) and H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural Adviser at the Emiri Diwan and Qatar's candidate to the Director-General's post at Unesco, during a press conference at Palm Tower yesterday.
Terming H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural Adviser at the Emiri Diwan, as the “most competent candidate” for the post of Unesco Director-General due to his “academic excellence” and “successful diplomatic background”, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris yesterday endorsed Qatar's candidate for the UN Agency’s top position.
The Prime Minister made this announcement after a meeting with Dr Al Kawari in Doha.
“Our country after studying the credentials of all three candidates contesting for the post has decided to support Dr Al Kawari due to his academic profile and experience in serving on important diplomatic positions,” he said, adding that Al Kawari knew how to run organisations.
He said Qatar’s candidate had shown tremendous passion along with his vast-experience to revive key areas of Unesco like education, science and heritage. “His background and knowledge covers all major areas Unesco is working upon,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that his country had given support to a right country that had the potential to pursue Unesco agenda. “Unesco needs his wealth of experience and international contacts. On the personal level, he also has all those attributes and qualities needed for this office,” he observed.
He said that Saint Kitts and Nevis would also play its role to run a campaign for Dr Al Kawari’s candidacy from the platforms of two organisations of Caribbean countries including The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “All Caribbean countries work in close coordination and meet regularly on these organisations’ platforms. We are advocating Qatar’s candidacy for the slot among these countries,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that under contemporary international diplomacy, every country was important. “The 9/11 proved the fact that no country is large enough to live without help of others,” he said. Expressing his trust over Dr Kawari, the Prime Minister said that he was the man who would introduce reforms in Unesco making its global perspective “holistic” and “inclusive” for small islands.
To another question regarding Dr Kawari’s vision of tackling terrorism and extremism with education, Harris noted: “Yes education can make a difference.” He further said that the factors like poverty, lack of food, lack of education etc, should be removed as they used to offer manipulation capability to powers having vested interests.
Earlier welcoming the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Al Kawari said that it was first visit of any high-ranking official from any Caribbean country to Qatar. “During his stay, distinguished guest will also call on
H E Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani that will open new vistas of cooperation and bilateral relations between two states,” he said, adding that visiting Prime Minister would also visit Qatar Foundation today.
Expressing gratitude to visiting Prime Minister, Al Kawari said: “I am very happy on the endorsement of my candidacy by Saint Kitts and Nevis.” He said Qatar and Saint Kitts and Nevis had many shared-values like giving priority to education. “Qatar gives top priority to education not only domestically but internationally. Qatar’s contribution for “Educate A Child” campaign is the reflection of our commitment,” he said. He announced that he would start his visit to Caribbean countries from January next year for his candidacy campaign.
Dr Kawari further said that Qatar used to give equal importance to all countries irrespective of their size. “Saint Kitts and Nevis did not get its due share in fields of education and health but I from the platform of Unesco will ensure addressing these issues,” he added.
Dr Al Kawari said that he was aware of the fact that he was embarking on a difficult mission as Unesco DG job was not an easy task. He said that Unesco’s current financial crisis was in his mind and it could not be addressed with conventional approaches. “We will have to find new ways,” he said.
Ambassador Dr David P Doyle, Permanent Delegate to Unesco, said: “Even before meeting Dr Kawari, I was really impressed with his educational and diplomatic background and his belief in multiculturalism,” he observed.
