DHAKA, Dec 14, 2023 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today thanked the UNESCO inscribing Rickshaw and Rickshaw Painting in Dhaka as Bangladesh's fifth element of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
 
He expressed the gratitude while newly appointed Head of the UNESCO Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize presented her credentials to the foreign ministry at foreign ministry here, a foreign ministry's press release said.
 
The UNSECO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed 'Rickshaws and Rickshaw painting in Dhaka' on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 18th session, taking place in Kasane, Botswana from December 5 to 9. 

During today's meeting, the Bangladesh foreign minister also conveyed his appreciation to the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO Secretariat for recognizing Bangladesh's efforts to protect the outstanding universal value of the Sundarbans and allowing six year timeline to submit the next State of Conservation report.

Dr. Momen recalled with appreciation of UNESCO's support for initiating this UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize in the field of Creative Economy. 

He also underscored Bangladesh's commitment to engage more deeply with Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOC-INDIO) as the current Chair of the IOC. 

Susan Vize thanked the foreign minister for accepting her credentials and noted that UNESCO always believed in strengthening its cooperation with Bangladesh. 

Momen wished her success in delivering her responsibilities and assured her of all out support of the government in discharging her duties in Bangladesh.

Vize, a national of Australia, has a long reputable career at the UNESCO. 
Before joining her new role, she was the Regional Advisor for Social and Human Sciences Asia-Pacific at the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Bangkok.