The siege countries mobilised all their energies to thwart Qatar's candidate to the post of Unesco secretary general, thus causing the Arabs to lose an important position they always dreamed of, HE the Minister of State Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari has said.
Speaking at the "Tajrebaty" Initiative at Qatar University (QU), Dr al-Kuwari said that one of the siege countries opposed Qatar's candidate for Unesco post on the first day of the announcement of its candidacy and secretly obstructed it, before publicly standing with other siege countries to campaign against Qatar and its candidate.
Outlining his journey to the candidacy for the Unesco post, Dr al-Kuwari said that while his electoral programme gained wide support from various nations, the siege countries used all methods in their arsenal to oppose his candidature, and put unimaginable pressure on other countries to discourage them from supporting Qatar’s candidate, causing the Arabs to lose an important position they always dreamed of.
Dr al-Kuwari stressed the continuous support of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the government and people during his candidacy.
He also praised the visit of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to Unesco last February, saying that it reflected Qatar's continuous support to the organisation and its belief in its role in supporting education, culture and spreading knowledge around the world.
Dr al-Kuwari reiterated that Qatar's belief in the role of the Unesco in promoting education and culture around the world was the reason behind his candidacy for the position. He added that the nomination began early, two years before the elections, due to Qatar's belief in the task and sense of responsibility.
Dr al-Kuwari said Qatar's inspirational leadership and its wise vision led to the successes and achievements witnessed by the country in various fields all the national, regional and international levels.
He said that Qatar has many people who are endowed with skills and abilities.
Concluding his speech, Dr al-Kuwari reiterated that knowledge and culture are Qatar's guiding principles in its path towards development and progress. He said the path to build Qatar is through knowledge, and by adhering to this principle the country has been able to reach such an advanced level.
Meanwhile, HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali highlighted his experience in serving Qatar in different forums.
Despite Qatar's small size, it serves as a model for other countries in the region, and looks forward to be a model to the world in various fields, the minister said urging the youth to seize the opportunity and the moment to serve their country.
QU President Dr Hassan al-Derham said Qatar should be at the forefront, and today it needs its youth in all areas of knowledge.
Al-Derham highlighted the relation between the Unesco and QU, praising the organisation's support in establishing the university in the 1970s.
The Tajrebaty Initiative was launched by QU in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports and Qatar Youth Hostels Association with the aim of supporting the youth's role in the development of the country.
