Iraq wants to bring tourists back to Mosul

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay met a few days ago at UNESCO Headquarters with Iraqi Minister of Culture Abdulameer Al-Dafar Hamdani and Nineveh Provincial Governor Mansour Al-Mareed to review the progress of the project « Reviving Mosul’s Spirit ».

This flagship initiative, launched by UNESCO in 2018 with the support of the Government of Iraq and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, focuses on the human dimension of the reconstruction of the city around three main axes: the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed cultural heritage, the rehabilitation of the education system and the revitalization of cultural life.

 » We are committed to working together. We agreed on a solid timetable and action plan, » the Director-General said at the end of the meeting, referring in particular to the reconstruction project funded by the United Arab Emirates, which includes the Al-Nuri Mosque and its minaret as well as two churches.

 » We are aware of the difficulties, but the people of Mosul deserve our efforts, » said Audrey Azoulay, who recalled that « Mosul was the symbol of diversity and tolerance before the conflict. The spirit of Mosul is an example and an objective for the rest of Iraq« .

« The needs are considerable, but with the help of UNESCO and the international community, we can meet the challenge. We will work as a united team », said the Iraqi Minister of Culture.

« Inform the population by showing them that this is a concrete project, » said the Governor of Nineveh Province, who thanked UNESCO for its efforts to revive Mosul’s history and spirit.