Paris, 6 October 2025:
At the ongoing session of the Executive Board of UNESCO in Paris, Pakistan has called for comprehensive reforms and a strategic realignment of the organization to effectively address contemporary global challenges. These include ensuring access to quality education, safeguarding cultural and historical heritage, and countering the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech.
Delivering Pakistan’s statement, Dr. Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, Advisor to the Prime Minister, lauded UNESCO’s vital contributions to promoting education, advancing science, and preserving cultural heritage. He emphasized the need for realigning UNESCO’s priorities with its foundational mandates — education, science, culture, and communication — to strengthen the organization’s impact and global relevance.
Dr. Tauqir Shah underscored that transparency, accountability, and protection of UNESCO’s core programmes are essential for realizing the organization’s objectives and sustaining its role as a leading multilateral platform for intellectual and cultural cooperation.
On behalf of Pakistan, Dr. Shah extended warm felicitations to Dr. Khalid El-Enany of Egypt on his election as Director-General of UNESCO for the 2025–2029 term. He praised Dr. El-Enany’s distinguished contributions to culture and education and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working constructively with him to advance UNESCO’s mission.
Dr. Shah also conveyed appreciation to the outgoing Director-General for her dedicated leadership and service to UNESCO over the past eight years, acknowledging her efforts to promote global collaboration in education, science, and culture.
