Jeddah, Rabi'II 10, 1438, Jan 8, 2017, SPA -- OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen held a bilateral meeting with UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova on Friday 06 January 2016 in UNESCO Headquarters. The two sides had useful and extensive exchange of views on various international and regional issues of common interest, regarding inter alia the protection of cultural heritage in the event of conflict, the fight against violent extremism and radicalism, the need to promote intercultural and inter-faith dialogue to achieve mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and long lasting peace. Both sides agreed to remain engaged as well as further strengthen the bilateral cooperation on mutual issues, through the update of the OIC/UNESCO cooperation agreement signed in 1979. --SPA 17:32 LOCAL TIME 14:32 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w308403