Hamdan bin Rashid inaugurates UNESCO conference hall in Paris

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, today inaugurated the newly renovated conference hall of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, at its headquarters in Paris.

Sheikh Hamdan gave a speech during the launch of the 39th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, with the attendance of Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, and representatives of its member countries.

"We, in the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, encourage and support UNESCO’s initiatives in education and culture and the preservation of the world’s heritage. We call on all countries to support this organisation, so it can effectively perform its role and spread its message, and we renew our commitment, in the UAE, to offer our support to consolidate the efforts of the organisation and achieve its main goals," Sheikh Hamdan said.

Sheikh Hamdan expressed his happiness at the restoration and renovation of the conference hall, which cost around US$6 million and was funded by his donation.

"The opening of this majestic room will remind all with memories of decision-makers and prominent representatives of many States, with echoes of their discussions and numerous constructive and accountable debates that contributed to spreading the enlightenment of education, knowledge and the ethos of human values – all this still resonates between the walls of this magnificent hall. These values help us tackle the challenges, to sustain the welfare and coexistence of humanity, where the values of peace, stability, and mutual respect prevail," said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum donated an amount of US$6.2 million for the renovation and improvement of Room I. This generous contribution is embedded in the spirit of the longstanding partnership between UNESCO and the UAE; it is also a feature of the collaboration set up within the "UNESCO-Hamdan Bin Rashid al-Maktoum Prize for Outstanding Practice and Performance in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teachers," established in 2008.

Bokova launched the 39th session of UNESCO’s General Conference with a speech, where she praised the UAE’s support for the organisation’s programmes and initiatives in the areas of education, culture, research and the protection of heritage in many regions. She also praised the efforts of Sheikh Hamdan and his initiatives to assist the organisation, which has helped it spread its message on education and heritage affairs.

Sheikh Hamdan and Bokova lifted the curtain off the commemorative painting in the conference hall after its renovation.

Sheikh Hamdan also witnessed the signing of an agreement of co-operation and partnership between the "Hamdan Fund to Support the UNESCO" and UNESCO, which was signed by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, and Irina Bokova.

Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Al Maktoum Foundation; Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs; Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi; Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Department of Education and Knowledge and Chancellor of UAE University; Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad; Humaid bin Obaid Al Qatami; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority; Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer; Saeed Mohammed Al Kendi; Maadhad Hareb Mughair Al Khaili, UAE Ambassador to France, along with several chairmen and directors of related government institutions and educational leaders from the UAE.

He also launched the exhibition of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance on the sidelines of UNESCO’s General Conference, where he inspected the materials, pictures, research and initiatives submitted for the award from the UAE and other countries.