His Excellency Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jafaari met with UNESCO's General Director, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay, on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting discussed UNESCO's support for Iraq and stressed the need to rehabilitate ancient cities.
Miniter Al-Jaafari said that Iraq is a country that has been afflicted and confronted, and faced terrorism and prevailed and that countries of the world and international organizations should support it and contribute to the reconstruction of Iraqi cities damaged by terrorism.
Minister Al-Jaafari also stated that" Iraq is the cradle of global civilization, and its cultural features are threatened today because of the low water levels which requires the support of UNESCO to urge water source countries to maintain water releases to Iraq." And the Minister also pointed out that Iraq has asked UNESCO to include the historic city of Babylon on the World Heritage list, and that countries of the world should support us in order to preserve its cultural depth.
Minister Al-Jaafari directed an invitation to Mrs. Audrey Azoulay to visit Iraq; to discuss more ways to support Iraq in various fields.
On her part, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay said: we are working to mobilize the countries of the world; to provide funds for the success of UNESCO's initiative to rehabilitate many of the Iraqi archaeological cities.