Oman takes part in 42nd session of UNESCO General Conference

Oman Wednesday 08/November/2023 17:59 PM
By: ONA
Oman takes part in 42nd session of UNESCO General Conference

Paris: The Sultanate of Oman participated in the plenary sessions of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which was held at the organisation’s headquarters in the French capital, Paris.

The event saw the participation of UNESCO member states and representatives of international organisations and civil society institutions.

Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shibani, Minister of Education and Chairperson of Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, noted in her speech during the sessions that Oman shares the calls of world countries to stop the illegal and inhuman war waged by the Israeli occupation against civilians and defenseless innocents in the Gaza Strip. This war, added the minister, caused the destruction of infrastructure, archaeological sites, museums, mosques and churches.

Dr. Madiha urged the UNESCO to fulfill its moral duty and humanitarian obligation to call for an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and enable the entry of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza. She also called on the free world to protect schools, universities and places of worship, as well as historical and cultural sites of the Palestinian people.

She said that an urgent plan should be devised so that UNESCO can play a role in helping the Palestinian people, empowering them in sustainable development programmes, combating poverty, and restoring and maintaining heritage, cultural and historical monuments.

She explained that this dangerous escalation requires prioritising reason and wisdom, giving priority to the humanitarian dimension and promoting a culture of peace and dialogue. It also requires rejecting violence, extremism and hate speech, in addition to spreading general understanding about international humanitarian law and the legal obligations that countries bear during wars and armed conflicts, affirmed Dr. Madiha.

She underlined the Sultanate of Oman’s keenness to give priority to the policy of tolerance and dialogue, as well as rejecting violence and addressing the causes of the conflict. She also highlighted Oman’s efforts to convey its cultural experience in tolerance, coexistence and understanding, through the “Message of Peace from the Sultanate of Oman” exhibition, which had more than 600 stations around the world, the latest of which was held at the UNESCO’s headquarters last July.

At the conclusion of her speech, Dr. Madiha laid emphasis on Oman’s commitment to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the fourth goal on education.

The opening programme of the session, which lasts until 22 November 2023, includes a speech by the UNESCO Director-General, a speech by the President of the Executive Council, approving the session’s agenda, electing the President of the General Conference, the Vice-Presidents, the Chairmen of the Committees, the Vice-Chairmen, and the Rapporteurs. It also includes a discussion of the Director-General’s report on the activities of the Organisation during (2018-2021), as well as a report on the activities and programmes of the organisation’s Executive Council.

The Sultanate of Oman’s delegation taking part in the event comprises Hamad Saif Al Hammami, Oman's Permanent Representative to the UNESCO, Dr. Jokha Abdullah Al Shukaili, CEO of Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Educational Quality Assurance and Amna Salim Al Balushi, Secretary of Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

It also includes representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the Environment Authority and Sultan Qaboos University.