Paris: The Sultanate of Oman affirmed that it accords full attention to youth who, it said, took part in devising Oman Vision 2040 which focused on developing the skills of youth, supporting their initiatives and promoting their welfare.
This was stated by Dr Madeeha Ahmed al Shaibani, Minister of Education, Head of Oman National Committee for Education, Culture and Sciences, who led the Omani delegation at the 41st session of the UNESCO’s general conference, which is being held in Oman from November 9 to 24.
Dr Madeeha conveyed to the conference delegates His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik’s greetings along with His Majesty’ aspiration for “a world guided by principles of understanding and dialogue for the realisation of security and peace”.
She extended His Majesty the Sultan’s wishes of success and prosperity for the UNESCO. Dr Madeeha said that the conference coincides with the UNESCO’s celebration of its 75th anniversary, which, she said “comes around at a time the world is suffering the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and its negative repercussions on educational, health and economic establishments”.
Dr Madeeha lauded the important role of the UNESCO in assisting the international community to overcome all types of challenges, particularly those related to education and human wellbeing. Oman’s delegation comprised Dr Hamad Saif Al Hammami, Oman’s Representative to the UNESCO, and Amna Salim Al Balushi, Secretary of Oman National Committee for Education, Culture and Sciences, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and Sultan Qaboos University.
The minister participated in yesterday’s session, which saw the re-election of Audrey Azoulay as Director-General of UNESCO for a second four-year term.
Azoulay was first elected Director-General of UNESCO in 2017, and was the only candidate for this new mandate, with 155 votes in favor, 9 against and one abstention.
The 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference discusses several issues, primarily the UNESCO’s budget and strategy for the coming years.
