MUSCAT: The proceedings of the 28th Ordinary Session of the General Conference of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) commenced in Muscat on Thursday.
The session was attended by Their Excellencies, heads of delegations of ALECSO’s Arab member states, along with representatives of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and a number of regional and international organisations concerned with ALECSO’s work and mandate: UNESCO, ICESCO, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, and the Association of Arab Universities.
The opening was attended by Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibani, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and Prof Dr Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO. The session forms part of efforts to strengthen joint Arab action and coordinate initiatives to develop the education, culture and science sectors across the Arab world.
The Arab delegations discuss a number of Arab files at the General Conference, the organisation's highest legislative authority. Chief among them are the priorities of joint Arab action in education, culture and science, and future plans and strategies, notably the Foresight Plan for the Development and Renewal of Education in the Arab World (2026–2035) and the plan for developing cultural and creative industries. The delegations are also considering the draft budget and programme for the 2027–2028 financial cycle, along with a number of proposals submitted by member states.
Dr Madiha then received the “Conference Shield” from the outgoing chair, as the Sultanate of Oman takes over the chairmanship of the organisation's General Conference for the next two years.
The Conference sessions discussed several topics relating to the organisation's course and work priorities. These include the Director-General’s report on the implementation of the organisation's programmes and activities in the period between the 27th and 28th sessions of the General Conference, and the report of the Chairman of the Executive Council on the Council’s work. The sessions also addressed the educational, cultural and scientific situation in Palestine, and issues relating to countries facing conflicts, crises, disasters and emergencies.
The Conference examined a number of future plans and strategic orientations, foremost among them ALECSO’s Foresight Plan for the Development and Renewal of Education in the Arab World (2026–2035), the plan for developing cultural and creative industries, and the main themes of the draft future vision for the organisation's action plan beyond 2028, in addition to the comprehensive strategy for training staff of the organisation and its external centres.
Several specialised committees meet during the Conference, including the Education Committee, the Culture Committee, the Science Committee, the Information and Communication Committee, the National Commissions Committee, the Financial and Administrative Committee, and the Drafting Committee. They are considering the items within their respective mandates, the draft programmes and budgets for the 2027–2028 financial cycle, and proposals to develop the organisation's activities across its various sectors.
The Sultanate of Oman’s hosting of this event reaffirms its commitment to supporting joint Arab action, strengthening cooperation and integration among member states in education, culture and science, and contributing to shaping the organisation's future orientations. It does so in a manner that keeps pace with regional and international changes and supports the building of Arab societies founded on knowledge, innovation and sustainable development. — ONA
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