KABUL (SW): The Msharano Jirga (upper house) urged the government on Tuesday to take full advantage of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) including Bamiyan City to the Creative Cities Network.
Last week, UNESCO published the list of 47 cities that have been dubbed as the creative cities. The cities have been categorized according to the creative fields such as crafts, folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media, arts and music. UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, has announced the designation of these 47 cities from 33 countries as new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Speaking about the development, Mohammad Aalim Ezidyar, the Deputy Speaker of the WJ said it has provided an opportunity for the Afghan government to attract tourists and investment.
It is worth noticing, among other attractive natural features, Bamiyan was home to two giant Budha statues before they were blown away by the Taliban in 2001. Ezidyar said the government should seek international assistance in restoring the historic glory of Bamiyan.
Launched in 2004, the Network now comprises 116 cities worldwide. It aims to foster international cooperation with and between cities committed to investing in creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and cultural vibrancy.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the international community in September 2015 highlights culture and creativity as key levers for sustainable urban development. The Network serves as an essential platform to contribute to the implementation and achievement of this international agenda.
By joining the Network, cities commit to collaborate and develop partnerships with a view to promoting creativity and cultural industries, to share best practices, to strengthen participation in cultural life, and to integrate culture in economic and social development strategies and plans.
Afghanistan has two sites registered at the UNESCO as World Heritage. It includes the cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley that represent the artistic and religious developments which from the 1st to the 13th centuries characterized ancient Bakhtria, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara school of Buddhist art. The second on the list is the 65m-tall Minaret of Jam that is a graceful, soaring structure, dating back to the 12th century.
ENDS
