Bahrain has been elected as vice president of the UNESCO General Conference. It has also won a seat as member of the UNESCO Documents Examination Committee. This came on the sidelines of the 37th UNESCO session, which was attended by Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi in Paris. The President of the 36th UNESCO session, Katalina Bogyay of Hungary, addressed the opening ceremony, stressing the importance of the conference and outlined upcoming steps to be taken. UNESCO Executive Board President Alessandra Cummins underscored the importance of meeting UNESCO goals AND stepping up efforts to combat the scourges of poverty, violence and illiteracy. UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova outlined the strategy of the Paris-based UN agency, stressing its crucial role enhancing sustainable and human development competences. Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi in Paris thanked the countries which elected the Kingdom of Bahrain.