Paris:The Sultanate of Oman has emphasized that investing in people through education, culture, and knowledge is crucial for establishing sustainable peace. The country also stressed the need for enhanced international collaboration to protect cultural heritage, improve education systems, and support communities affected by crises and conflicts.
According to Oman News Agency, this message was delivered by Amna bint Salim Al Balushi, Oman's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, during the 225th session of UNESCO's Executive Board held in Paris, France.
Oman's commitment to multilateral international action was reaffirmed, with a reference to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's historic visit to UNESCO headquarters in June 2026. This visit underscored Oman's belief in investing in people as a key component of development and sustainable peace through education, culture, and knowledge.
The speech highlighted the UNESCO-Sultan Haitham Prize for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an initiative by Oman to protect and preserve cultural legacies. The Sultanate also expressed pride in its support for the 'World Heritage Capacity-Building Programme' in East African countries, enhancing capacities to showcase and secure the registration of African heritage sites on the World Heritage List.
Oman has integrated artificial intelligence into its educational processes and actively participates in global meetings to shape future education agendas. This includes the country's role in the SDG 4-Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee, demonstrating Oman's commitment to advancing the education sector.
The establishment of the "UNESCO Chair on Waste-to-Fuel Innovations at Muscat University" was noted, bringing the number of UNESCO Chairs in Oman to nine. Additionally, the need to bolster UNESCO's role in supporting education and culture in conflict-affected regions was stressed.
Oman's international initiative, the "Muscat Plan," was highlighted as a framework for fostering dialogue and social cohesion. The country's support for the "UNESCO 80" initiative was also reiterated.
