ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations of two countries, Pakistan and the kingdom of Thailand have reaffirmed their resolve to enhance the Cultural cooperation and museum exchange programme.
The Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training and National Heritage and Culture Shafqat Mahmood during an online meeting with the Minister of Culture of Thailand, Ittiphol Kunplom said Pakistan gives significant importance to cultural cooperation and exchange programs with the Kingdom of Thailand
Shafqat Mahmood further said five new bilateral agreements would be signed in this regard for the years 2021-2025. Both sides agreed on enhancing their cultural ties through exhibitions, cultural and arts performances, dance, film, radio and TV programs. People-to-people contacts and cultural troops exchange between two countries also agreed upon.
Shafqat Mahmood said these joint projects will also provide an opportunity to meet the businessmen and business groups of both sides and hence promote the trade relations and tourism sectors of both countries.
He highlighted that Pakistani museums have a priceless collection of artifacts and Buddha’s relics and Thai people’s visit to Pakistan in this regard is very appreciable. To enhance the mutual collaboration between Thai National Museum Bangkok and Taxila museum also came under discussion.
Both sides also discussed the impact of Covid-19 on the cultural and art sector and field of education. They also exchanged experiences in dealing with this crisis and the relief measures for supporting the art industries.
Shafqat Mahmood extended the invitation of Pakistan’s visit to his Thai counterpart which the latter accepted with the remarks, he has heard a lot about the Taxila museum and very keen to visit it in-person.
Recently, Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute for Sustainable Halophyte Utilization (ISHU), University of Karachi and UNESCO Thailand jointly held an online forum to discuss and highlights issues related to the mangroves ecosystem.
The third Mekong Mangrove Forum was organized online due to COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions. The organizers included UNESCO, UN Redd Programme, Manfred Hermsen Stiftung, Fauna and Flora International, Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Conservation Foundation and the United Nations Association of Pakistan.
The speakers said, “Mangroves are vital blue carbon ecosystems that have been damaged and degraded worldwide”. “To preserve what remains and restore what we have lost is critical for environmental values, the communities that depend on these ecosystems as homes and economic resources, and indeed for humanity, as we all rely on carbon sinks to curb the climate crisis,” it added.
