ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday reiterated its full commitment to mandate and principles adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and appreciated UNESCO’s valuable contributions in promoting dialogue and cultural diversity. This was stated by Member of National Assembly Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal while delivering the country’s statement at the 204th Session of the Executive Board of UNESCO held in Paris. The executive board meeting was also attended by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moinul Haque and 58 executive board members. MNA Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal assured the executive board that Pakistan would fulfill its obligations to UNESCO and continue to work together with the global community in striving for an equitable, just, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world. Pakistan’s representative stated that the government of Pakistan had embarked on a broad based programme for social sector development and education especially girls’ education as its topp priority. She pointed out Pakistan’s voluntary contribution of $10 million was to setup the Malala Fund to supplement UNESCO’s efforts for promoting girl child education globally. She also thanked the governments of Korea, Italy and Qatar for their substantial contributions to this fund. She welcomed the director general’s proposal for strategic transformation of UNESCO and emphasised that the new reform process should conform to UNESCO’s core mandate, ensure inclusiveness and transparency and preserve intergovernmental character of UNESCO. During her stay in Paris, Dr Shezra will also be meeting with the president of the general conference, the president of the executive board and senior officials of UNESCO Secretariat. Published in Daily Times, April 12th 2018.