RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has urged UNESCO to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The appeal was made by Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to France and the Principality of Monaco and permanent representative of the Kingdom to UNESCO.
Al-Ruwaili led the Kingdom’s delegation at the 219th session of UNESCO’s executive board meeting in Paris, which ends on March 27, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom’s delegation took part in the opening session, with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and other national bodies participating.
In his speech, Al-Ruwaili highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts, in collaboration with its partners in the region and worldwide, to find a solution to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.
He said Israel should be stopped from carrying out military operations in Gaza, which were in violation of international law.
Meanwhile, Al-Ruwaili commended the ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO.
He highlighted the exhibition held at the UNESCO headquarters, titled “The Earthen Testaments,” on Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day. The exhibition showcased the heritage of Diriyah, including the At-Turaif district listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2010.
Al-Ruwaili also highlighted the projects by Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, valued at $10 million, to preserve cultural heritage through the Fund-in-Trust Agreement. The projects aim to achieve synergies across six culture conventions of UNESCO.
He said the Kingdom took the initiative to position culture on the G20 agenda during its presidency in 2020, and thanked countries that continued to back this approach.
Al-Ruwaili said three Saudi Arabia cities have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, bringing the total to five.
In addition, the Kingdom joined the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal 4 High-Level Steering Committee, as well as the subcommittee concerned with data and monitoring.
Al-Ruwaili thanked the nations that supported the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, and said Saudi Arabia aims to have an event that enhances international cooperation on all fronts.
