UNESCO Executive Board Chief praises Qatar's educational defense

Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hanzab, President of the Executive Board of UNESCO, commended Qatar's commitment to safeguarding education, particularly in conflict-ridden areas, during his address at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. This annual observance, held on September 9, this year with the theme "Can Education Survive Attacks?

Human Societies Resilience," was inaugurated by Qatar's initiative and witnessed by UNESCO Director-General Dr. Khaled El Enany and various ministers and state representatives. The UNESCO Executive Board President highlighted the significance of this day in bringing global attention to the importance of educational protection, which UNESCO has increasingly championed since 2017.

He emphasized that while international commitments are crucial, the real challenge lies in translating these into actionable measures to ensure the safety of students and educators during crises and conflicts. The UNESCO Executive Board, in 2024, called for a preventive action plan to protect education from attacks, a plan that was approved last April, providing a comprehensive framework for preventive, preparatory, responsive, and recovery actions.

Dr. Al Hanzab stressed that the plan is not a final destination but a launching point for sustained efforts to ensure education's continuity. He stressed that the success of this initiative hinges on political commitment, partnerships, and resources, with a special account for voluntary contributions earmarked to support educational systems in emergencies.

Dr. Al Hanzab reaffirmed UNESCO's dedication to embedding educational protection within its work, pledging to maintain transparency and proactive communication with member states regarding the plan's implementation.