Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi speaking at the event.
DOHA: Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Arab cooperation in education, culture and science, highlighting its initiatives to support educational development, scientific research, innovation and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The commitment was emphasised during the 28th Ordinary Session of the General Conference of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), held in Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday, with the participation of heads of Arab national committees, representatives of international and Islamic organisations, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and the Arab League, as well as officials from educational, cultural and scientific institutions.
Qatar’s delegation was headed by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh
Al Nuaimi.
Addressing the conference,
Al Nuaimi stressed the importance of investing in human development and building capabilities to keep pace with rapid advances in knowledge, innovation and artificial intelligence. He said Qatar would continue supporting joint Arab initiatives in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
He highlighted Qatar’s contributions to regional cooperation, including hosting the 14th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education in 2025 and the fourth edition of the Arab Mathematics Olympiad in 2024, alongside its efforts to advance higher education, scientific research and social development.
A key initiative highlighted was Qatar’s proposal for an interim evaluation of ALECSO’s 2023–2028 action plan, titled “Towards Sustainable Progress”.
Supported by the organisation’s Executive Council, the initiative resulted in an evaluation report containing recommendations to improve the remaining stages of the plan and strengthen the participation of member states and national commissions in setting priorities for joint Arab action.
On cultural preservation,
Al Nuaimi highlighted the establishment of Qatar’s National Memory of the World Committee in 2024 and the hosting of UNESCO’s Regional Conference on the Protection of Documentary Heritage in 2025.
The latter led to the establishment of the Arab Regional Committee for the Memory of the World Programme, with Qatar assuming its presidency.
He also noted the inscription of Barzan Towers, the Old Palace and the Murwab archaeological site on ALECSO’s Register of Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage. Qatar is also leading the multinational nomination of “Al Bisht (Men’s Cloak): Skills and Practices”, involving nine Arab countries, as part of efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.
Al Nuaimi underscored the importance of strengthening the presence of Arabic in education, scientific research and digital environments, describing it as a fundamental pillar of Arab cultural identity.
He also reiterated Qatar’s firm support for the Palestinian people, stressing the need to protect their educational and cultural institutions, preserve their heritage and identity, and guarantee children and young people their right to education and knowledge.
