Top UN official hails Bahrain's cultural diversity

Manama, May 5 (BNA)-- President of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly and the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Ambassador Nasser Abdulaziz Al Nasser underlined the alliance's readiness to work with Bahrain in vital areas, including programmes to serve multi-cultural diversity and promote the culture of peace and co-existence. Speaking in the second session of the Dialogue Between Civilisations Conference, he thanked Bahrain for hosting the key conference under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, expressing happiness to attend it. He said the conference is held at a time the region and the world are undergoing serious challenges. He stressed values included in the UN Charter like human rights and dignity, freedom, tolerance, peace and security, pointing out Bahrain's ability to maintain its status for over 4000 years as a melting pot of different cultures and religions. he added that the unique blend of civilisations and religions characterising the Bahraini society has become a catalyst for growth and deserves respect of the international community. He also underscored the key role that has to be played by religious clerics to boost tolerance and co-existence, pointing out that human development is owed to exchanging experiences between the East and West. He urged resistance of forces of fanaticism and revenge, asserting that rapprochement and co-existence remain possible as long as there is a responsible leadership and good citizenship to preserve hard-won achievements for the posterity. He reiterated readiness of the UN Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) to cooperate with Bahrain in promoting the culture of peace and co-existence by supporting the youth, upgrading education, availing of the role of the media and benefiting from emigration. A O Q