ISLAMABAD: To strengthen link between culture and development, United Nations Education, Scientific and Culture Organization Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Tourism, Ministry of Sindh, to highlight Pakistan's rich cultural heritage and diversity.

For the period of next one year, UNESCO will help Department of Tourism, Sindh build the capacity for culture and sustainable tourism through awareness for the conservation of diverse cultural and natural heritage, development of travelogue in a form of book along with souvenirs, and provision of technical and legal assistance in the harmonization of heritage laws and national legislation according to international standards across Sindh province.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Warren Mellor, Country Director, UNESCO-Pakistan said, “UNESCO is geared to extend utmost support to safeguard this living heritage and I hope tourism industry of Sindh will enhance its capacity based on our instrumental partnership.”

In addition to technical support, UNESCO will also collaborate with local tourism ministry to enhance visibility of the regional culture by presenting art, craft and culture of Sindh on different forums.

“The cultural heritage of this land speaks of people's mind, it has voices of their minds, ideas, values, likes and dislikes-the history is restored here and we want the world to communicate with it, “ said Dr. Warren Mellor, Country Director UNESCO Pakistan.

The signed MoU will cater the Department of Tourism, Sindh raise funds in order to protect and conserve immovable cultural and natural properties, safeguard living heritage, enhance the protection of cultural objects through sustainable tourism, fight against illicit trafficking in them, and the develop intercultural dialogue and peace.