UNESCO trusts Kazakhstan - Astana mayor Tasmagambetov
ASTANA. KAZINFORM - The interregional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO has been held in Astana for the first time today involving 125 countries. The forum has become a huge step in strengthening cooperation between the participating countries. In addition, Astana city mayor Imangali Tasmagambetov was awarded with a medal of honor "Silk Way", Kazinform has learnt from astana.kz.
"It is an honor for us to accept such a high-profile international forum. First of all, selection of Astana as the host city shows that UNESCO trusts Kazakhstan and its President Nursultan Nazarbayev. UNESCO has always paid attention to international initiatives of our country," Mr. Tasmagambetov said. Besides, Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova who delivered an inaugural address thanked Kazakhstan for great contribution to cooperation with the Organization and wished fruitful discussion of all issues. "I am pleased to send a message of support to the first interregional meeting of National Commissions. I'm confident this meeting will provide an opportunity to share experience, deepen cooperation and launch new partnerships across the UNESCO family. This meeting reflects wide leadership of Kazakhstan in UNESCO embodied most recently in sponsorship of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2013-2022 which UNESCO is leading" she noted. In addition, as part of the event 8 historical Kazakhstani objects were added to the world heritage list of UNESCO. These are towns of Talgar, Karamergen, Kayalyk, and others. And two national natural reservations were included into the World net of biosphere territories. Kazakhstan became a member of UNESCO on May 22, 1992. Over this time it has participated in 14 international conventions. And Kazakhstan's proposals regarding promotion of UNESCO online Silk Way platform will be implemented by the Organization by 2021.