Saint Kitts and Nevis PM announces support for Qatar’s Unesco candidate

Prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris, has expressed the support of his country and that of the Caribbean community for HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al- Kuwari, Adviser at the Emiri Diwan and Qatar’s Candidate for the Post of the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).His announcement came during a press conference, after he and his official delegation met with Qatar’s candidate yesterday.The prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis said that his country had studied the bids of other candidates for  the post of director-general of the Unesco and found that the Qatari candidate has many qualities and qualifications including his academic, political, diplomatic, cultural studies and experience that make him capable of accomplishing this international mission. He emphasised that the Caribbean community had agreed to support the Qatari candidate.He lauded HE al-Kuwari’s vision for Unesco, saying that they are looking forward to his efforts to reform the Unesco and to involve all countries in Unesco’s programmes.The prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis said that his country is seeking to develop its relations with all countries.He termed Qatar’s achievements in development areas as a model for his country to follow.He added that he will work during his current visit to Qatar on promoting co-operation between his country and Qatar as well as between Caribbean countries and Qatar.For his part, Dr al-Kuwari said that he was pleased to have the backing of the Caribbean community, adding that it is because these countries are paying special attention to education.He pointed out that this backing will cement the relations between Qatar and members of this group.He said that 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, adding it was a message that reached the members of the Caribbean community.HE al-Kuwari added that he is aware of the significance of the Caribbean islands, a matter which he highlighted in his candidacy bid.He added that he realises the islands along with South American and African nations’ need backing from Unesco.Qatar’s candidate raised during the press conference a number of issues, most notably the financial crisis faced by Unesco which requires a creative solution, and also addressed the importance of education and culture in creating a good citizen who supports peace and coexistence with others.He highlighted the role of Qatar in co-operating with Unesco in a number of initiatives, such as ‘Educate a Child’. This initiative will enable 10mn children to access education by the end of 2016, he added.It is worth noting that The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and The Republic of Haiti are all members of the Unesco Executive Board.