SAMARKAND : The Omani delegation, led by Her Excellency Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al-Shaibani, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, delivered a powerful address reflecting Oman’s vision for peace, inclusive education, cultural preservation, and sustainable progress.

In her speech at the general session, HE Dr. Al-Shaibani conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and reaffirmed Oman’s steadfast support for UNESCO’s mission of promoting peace, dialogue, and human development. She extended appreciation to the Republic of Uzbekistan for hosting the conference and to UNESCO for its ongoing efforts in fostering cultural understanding and safeguarding heritage.

Addressing global challenges, Her Excellency drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, welcoming the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and urging sustained international and regional efforts to uphold it. She called on UNESCO to intensify its role in protecting educational institutions and cultural sites while advancing dialogue rooted in tolerance and coexistence.

Highlighting Oman’s strides in education, HE Dr. Al-Shaibani noted the country’s inclusive and equitable education policies, the expansion of vocational and technical programs aligned with labor market needs, and the strong focus on teacher development. She announced that Oman will host the region’s first International Conference for the Teaching Profession in early 2026 under the theme “Sustainable Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The event will underscore Oman’s commitment to teacher empowerment and policy innovation.

In higher education, Oman continues to climb in global university rankings and strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem through international collaborations, including with the UNESCO University Chairs Network. On sustainability, HE Dr. Al-Shaibani reaffirmed Oman’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, emphasizing strategic investments in renewable energy and biodiversity conservation, evidenced by the registration of Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Al Sareen reserves in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

She also spotlighted Oman’s achievements in the cultural sphere, including the recognition of the “Oman Youth Ship for Peace and Sustainable Cultural Dialogue” as one of UNESCO’s best practices for safeguarding intangible heritage. She emphasized the country’s dedication to nurturing creative industries, preserving heritage, and strengthening cultural diplomacy.

HE Dr. Al-Shaibani further outlined Oman’s digital transformation efforts under Vision 2040, citing initiatives such as the National Policy for AI Governance and the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, both designed to enhance national capabilities in emerging technologies. She added that Oman has enacted a new Digital Content Regulation Law to combat misinformation and uphold transparency in line with UNESCO’s ethical standards for artificial intelligence and media literacy.

Her Excellency Ambassador Amna bint Salim Al-Balushi, Oman’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, reaffirmed Oman’s active role on the organization’s Executive Board, where it represented the Arab Group for two years as Vice-President, contributing to shaping UNESCO’s global agenda.

The opening of the 43rd session featured speeches by UNESCO’s leadership and included the election of committees, adoption of the agenda, and the historic appointment of Dr. Khaled El-Enany as the first Arab Director-General in UNESCO’s history.

The Omani delegation also includes Ambassador Sayyida Wafa bint Jabr Al-Busaidi, Oman’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, alongside representatives from the Ministries of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, and Heritage and Tourism.

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