Baghdad: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Planning, Ambassador Hisham Al-Alawi, discussed with the Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office in Iraq, Diaa Thabet Al-Saray, ways to enhance joint cooperation in the fields of cultural diplomacy and community media.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting discussed developments in the “Community Communication and Media for Peace” project and mechanisms for involving the Cultural Diplomacy Committee, headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in supporting and implementing the project’s objectives.
This committee, which was established by a Diwani order late last year, coordinates efforts between government institutions to enhance Iraq’s cultural presence in international forums.
For his part, Ambassador Hisham Al-Alawi stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNESCO, noting the pivotal role the Ministry plays in supporting cultural and development initiatives through its diplomatic channels, which contributes to achieving national priorities.
In turn, the regional representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Diaa Al-Saray, emphasized UNESCO’s commitment to developing targeted community and media programs, within the framework of its mandate to support cultural development in Iraq.
Ghassan Al-Hasani, Director of the Baghdad Visions Center, who attended the joint meeting, emphasized the importance of activating strategic partnerships to enhance the positive impact of cultural and media projects on Iraqi society.
The participants concluded by emphasizing the importance of continued coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNESCO, and the Baghdad Visions Center to ensure the achievement of shared goals, enhance the positive role of cultural diplomacy and community media in consolidating the values of coexistence and peace, and support Iraq’s active presence in international forums.