UNESCO says to organize int’l conference in Paris soon over Iraq reconstruction
The anti-terror war in Iraq has left several areas devastated and in need of humanitarian assistance
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – A UNESCO official said on Sunday that preparations are underway to organize an international conference in Paris soon to support the Iraqi government in its bids to reconstruct the war-torn city of Mosul and other cities liberated from Islamic State group.
During a meeting with Secretary-General of the Iraqi Council of Ministers Mahdi al-Allaq, Director of the UNESCO office in Iraq Louise Haxthausen stressed the organization’s keenness on going ahead with efforts to maintain Iraqi heritage and protect monuments in the liberated areas.
UNESCO will organize an international conference in Paris soon to support the Iraqi government in its efforts to rebuild Mosul and other liberated areas, in addition to restoring and maintaining Iraqi monuments, Haxthausen noted.
She added that the conference will also discuss means of “helping the displaced people and attracting the largest number of donors to support Iraq in its reforms and reconstruction plans.”
The meeting was attended by French Ambassador to Iraq Mr. Borno Aboyer, who also stressed that his government will continue to provide all possible support for the Iraqi government to reconstruct liberated areas.
Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December with the help of a US-led alliance, having retaken all the territory captured by the extremists in 2014 and 2015.