Tajik Minister of Culture Shamsiddin Orumbekzoda has drawn the attention of the world to the ancient culture of the Tajiks and the open door policy being applied by the Government of Tajikistan, according to the Ministry of Culture (MoC) press center.
Tajik minister reportedly delivered a statement at the UNESCO Forum of Ministers of Culture in Paris on November 19.
Tajikistan’s Ambassador to France, Mr. Jamoliddin Ubaidullo, and Secretary of Tajikistan National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Zulfiya Burhon, also attended the event that brought together 120 culture ministers.
The forum participants reportedly discussed the transversal role of culture in public policies for sustainable development during the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference.
They, in particular, exchanged views on problems of cultural and spiritual co-existence under the modern conditions of civilization, globalization, climate change, and protection of historical and cultural relics in case of emergencies.
The ministers also discussed the role of culture in solving modern problems related to economics, social cohesion, sustainable development, environmental protection, education, etc.
Meanwhile, UNESCO says that as a platform for priority setting and public policy development, this ministerial meeting provided an opportunity to make decisive progress on the role of culture in development.
Four themes will be explored on this occasion: 1) culture and heritage, a renewable energy for dialogue and peace; 2) culture at the heart of education, a fundamental dimension for human development and innovation; 3) investing in culture and creativity for sustainable development and employment; and 4) culture in the public space, a driving force for urban and social transformation
The Forum of Ministers of Culture 2019 was the largest such meeting in more than 20 years. “Twenty years separate us from this intergovernmental conference of culture ministers. Since then, the face of the world has changed. Culture has a fundamental role to play in rising to the challenges of our century. In the face of global fractures, and the paralysis of some institutional platforms, it is a common language that breaks down barriers,” declared the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, as she opened the Forum.
UNESCO, the only United Nations agency for culture, has returned to the tradition of ministerial meetings in the field of culture, 21 years after the Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1998.
