The Caribbean Community has declared its support for H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari.
DOHA: The Caribbean Community has declared its support for
H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural Adviser at the Emiri Diwan and Qatar’s candidate to the post of Unesco Director-General, describing him as the “strongest candidate” to the post.
The announcement, made by Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, who is currently on a visit to Doha heading a ministerial delegation, came after his meeting with Al Kawari yesterday.
Browne said that his government is working on the abolition of entry visas between Qatar and Antigua and Barbuda and eventually between Qatar and the Caribbean region.
He also said that his government has decided to appoint an ambassador to Qatar soon, pointing out that diplomatic and official procedures are under way for the appointment and presentation of the Ambassador’s credentials to the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Talking to reporters before the meeting, Browne said that the Dominican Republic, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Republic of Haiti and the rest of the Caribbean Community have mandated him to study which candidate the group will support to take up the post of Director-General of Unesco, adding that they have already decided to support Qatar’s candidate, the strongest candidate for this post.
He pointed out that Qatar did the right thing when it chose Dr. Hamad Al Kawari owing to his distinguished reputation in both Qatar and at the international level.
He added that he met Al Kawari and took note of his programme which attaches special attention to the Caribbean countries and the African countries as well as other countries of the world, in addition to his interest in culture, science and education.
This is why the Caribbean nations support Qatar’s candidate, whose vision for the Unesco is expected to be a new start for this prestigious organisation, said Browne.
On bilateral relations between Qatar and his country, Browne said that his government is seeking to build strong and deep-rooted relations based on mutual understanding and cooperation in many fields.
He hoped that his meetings in Doha, which will discuss bilateral agreements, would further strengthen these relations. He called on Qataris to invest in his country as it enjoys democracy and stability and as it is also a tourist destination.
Browne added that his government is working on putting into place infrastructure and legislation to ensure stability and protection of foreign investment.
Dr Al Kawari said he was pleased to have the backing of the Caribbean community. He said Qatar’s nomination of one of its sons to the post was because it wanted to deliver a message to the world on the importance of education and culture in establishing peace. It was a message that reached the members of the Caribbean community, he added.
Al Kawari said he is aware of the significance of the Caribbean islands, a matter he highlighted in his candidacy bid and that he realises the needs of islands along with South American and African nations for Unesco’s support.
He said Unesco, despite its efforts, can still play a bigger role as many humanitarian and charitable organisations are looking forward to cooperating with the organisation. This would happen only after Unesco succeeds in conveying its message to the world, he added.
Dr. Al Kawari highlighted Qatar’s role in cooperating with Unesco in initiatives, including ‘Educate a Child’, which will enable 10 million children to access education by this year-end.
The Dominican Republic; Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis; Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; and Republic of Haiti are members of the Unesco Executive Board.
