SAMARKAND: The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), which began on October 30, and continues until November 13 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Delegations representing member states of the Unesco, as well as representatives of international, non-governmental, and civil society organisations are participating.
The Sultanate of Oman’s delegation is headed by Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The minister of education delivered the Sultanate of Oman’s address during the conference’s plenary session. She conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and his wishes for the success of the conference and the realisation of its noble goals.
The minister of education expressed her gratitude to the friendly Republic of Uzbekistan for hosting this conference and to Unesco for organising it, commending their efforts to promote dialogue and peace and to protect human heritage.
The minister of education said: “We meet today amidst escalating humanitarian and security challenges which impact the present and future of generations, particularly the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, which has affected the foundations of life. While Oman welcomes the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, it emphasises the necessity of continuing international and regional efforts to ensure the implementation and sustainability of the agreement. We call upon Unesco to intensify its efforts to protect educational institutions and cultural property, and to promote constructive dialogue, free from intolerance and hatred, in support of international peace and security.”
Underscoring Oman’s efforts in developing its educational system based on the principles of inclusion and equity, the minister said, “The Sultanate of Oman has developed inclusive education policies and expanded the scope of vocational and technical education to encompass diverse specialisations that align with the requirements of national development and meet the requirements of the local and global labour market.”
She added that the Sultanate of Oman attaches great importance to teacher training and skills development, adding that in early 2026, the ministry will launch the first International Conference on the Teaching Profession in the Middle East, titled ‘Sustainable Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ in collaboration with regional and international organisations. This conference embodies the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to empowering teachers and developing educational policies.
In the field of higher education, the Sultanate of Oman has made significant progress in the ranking of its universities, strengthening its scientific research and innovation system, and expanding academic partnerships, including fruitful cooperation with the Unesco Chairs Network.
In the science sector, the Sultanate of Oman is committed to transitioning towards a sustainable, low-emission economy, aiming for net-zero carbon neutrality by 2050. The Sultanate of Oman is also adopting a proactive approach to addressing environmental and climate challenges through strategic projects in renewable energy, the minister said.
As part of its commitment to protecting biodiversity, the Sultanate of Oman has succeeded in registering the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and Al Sareen nature reserves within Unesco's global network, affirming its commitment to preserving natural heritage and promoting sustainable ecotourism, she said.
The minister of education said that the Sultanate of Oman places great importance on safeguarding cultural heritage, developing cultural and creative industries, and fostering the values of tolerance and dialogue. These efforts culminated in the inclusion of the ‘Shabab Oman Ship for Peace and Sustainable Cultural Dialogue on the Unesco's list of Good Safeguarding Practices.
The minister highlighted the role of Oman Vision 2040 in building a digital environment conducive to innovation and technological advancement by launching the National Artificial Intelligence Governance Policy and establishing the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution with the aim of adopting advanced technologies and enhancing national capabilities.
Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is striving to enhance media awareness to address growing challenges such as the spread of misinformation and digital violations. The Sultanate of Oman issued a law to regulate digital content, ensure transparency and protect privacy, in line with Unesco's recommendations on the ethics of artificial intelligence and media and information literacy. — ONA
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