President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has awarded the first degree Independence Order to Director-General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura, to mark the end of his tenure and in appreciation for his efforts in serving the world culture and heritage.
His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court decorated the order on UNESCO’ Director General, when he received him at his palace in Al Ain today evening. Sheikh Hamed congratulated Matsuura and wished him further successes in future functions. He welcomed him, citing the contributions of UNESCO to the world culture and heritage Sheikh Hamed noted that the UAE and UNESCO have good relations and cooperation in the areas of culture and heritage, adding that the UAE supports the international body.
On his part, the UNESCO official, who is currently visiting the UAE to attend the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage at UNESCO, which concluded in Abu Dhabi today, thanked the UAE President for honouring him. He lauded the wise policies of Sheikh Khalifa at the regional and international levels, as well as the support being offered by the UAE to UNESCO.
Present at the event were HE Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Dr Nasser Ali Al Hemeeri, Director of the Intangible Heritage Department and Head of the UAE Delegation to UNESCO Conference, which concluded today, HE Abdullah Ali Al Nuaimi, UAE Permanent Representative to UNESCO and a number of senior officials.
