Forum in Bangladesh discusses cultural diversity in Asia and Pacific

ASTANA. May 16. KAZINFORM Dhaka, Bangladesh, hosted the Ministerial Forum of cultural diversity of the Asian-Pacific Region, press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information reports.

The forum brought together ministers of culture, state secretaries, rectors of universities, and representatives of the leading international cultural organizations from 33 countries of the Asian-Pacific Region.

Kazakhstan was represented by Vice Minister of Culture and Information Askar Buribayev.

The Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova was the main guest of the forum. The Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina opened the forum. Within six plenary sessions the participants discussed the problems relating to support, adoption and implementation of the cultural policy and measures required to protect and encourage the cultural diversity.

Askar Buribayev chaired the third plenary session on "Support, adoption and celebration of various forms of cultural self-expression" focusing on collection and exchange of information about encouragement of various forms of cultural self-expression in the Asian-Pacific Region.

Upon results of the conference the participants approved and adopted the Dhaka Declaration.