Samarkand: The State of Qatar affirmed its commitment to supporting and promoting education and protecting world cultural heritage during a recent international gathering. This was articulated by HE Minister of Education and Higher Education and Chairperson of the Qatari National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, at the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency expressed Qatar's gratitude to Uzbekistan for its hospitality and organization, and praised Samarkand's selection as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2025. She highlighted the need for collective action to address increasing global humanitarian and technological challenges, placing humanity at the center of development efforts.
Her Excellency reiterated Qatar's unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their cultural heritage. She emphasized the importance of UNESCO intensifying efforts to protect educational and cultural sites in conflict zones, particularly in Palestine and Sudan, which are facing widespread destruction.
The Minister highlighted the updated agreement between Qatar and UNESCO for the Multi-Sectoral Regional Office in Doha, set to strengthen regional cooperation in education, culture, and science upon its activation in February 2025. She also discussed Qatar's third development strategy (2024-2030), launched under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which prioritizes education as central to sustainable development and transitioning to a knowledge-based economy.
Qatar's achievements in education were underscored, including hosting the 14th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education and preparing for the 5th Regional Conference on Higher Education in 2026. Doha Municipality's receipt of the UNESCO Learning Cities Award for 2024 was also noted.
Her Excellency reviewed Qatar's global educational contributions through the Education Above All Foundation, which has benefited over 14.5 million children and youth in more than 60 countries, alongside the efforts of the Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Charity in conflict zones.
In culture, Qatar's accession to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, the inscription of date palms and henna on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and hosting the Conference on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World in 2025 were highlighted.
She concluded by affirming Qatar's commitment to continued collaboration with member states to achieve UNESCO's mission of fostering a more peaceful world. Her Excellency also participated in a session emphasizing the need for skills for a sustainable future, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030's focus on human-centered development and strengthening national identity.
The conference, with over 2,800 representatives from 190 countries, was the first held outside UNESCO headquarters in Paris in over forty years. Dr. Khaled El-Enany was elected as UNESCO's new Director-General, marking a historic first for an Arab in this role.
Qatar's active participation underscores its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030's comprehensive development framework.