ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been successfully re-elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) for the term 2023-2027.

Sources in the education ministry told Dawn that Pakistan has been re-elected at the elections held on Wednesday during the 42nd Session of the General Conference in Paris. They said that the Asia-Pacific Group was hotly contested, with nine candidates running for six seats. Pakistan secured the highest number of votes (157) in the group, as they received more votes than in 2019, which were 154 votes.

As per the sources, the Executive Board of Unescoconsists of 58 members with a four-year term and elections were held to fill 33 seats.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Foreign Office on Thursday stated: “Pakistan’s re-election is a testament to its longstanding support for and constructive role at the United Nations (UN). Pakistan values the ever-relevant and crucial role of Unesco as a universal forum to promote the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind and the advancement of global peace and development through education, science, culture, and communication,” read the statement.

It further said that during its new term on the Executive Board, Pakistan will continue to work with all member states to strengthen Unesco’s mandate, advance shared goals, and contribute to the policy-making, development of norms, advancement of global priorities, and effective oversight of programmes and activities of the organisation.

As per the statement, “As an ardent advocate of multilateralism, Pakistan will endeavor to strengthen our collective efforts at Unesco, including by building bridges across regions and forging consensus on key issues for tangible outcomes and impact on the ground. As a partner, Pakistan will continue to extend proactive support for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Operational Strategy and Global Priorities—Africa and Gender Equality.”

Last week, Pakistan’s Interim Federal Education Minister Madad Ali Sindhi also attended the Unesco’s session and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals -4, terming it the cornerstone of progress and guiding light towards a more prosperous society.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2023