UAE elected Vice President at UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Samarkand
The United Arab Emirates has been elected Vice President of the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 30 to November 13, 2025, with the participation of delegates from 194 member states.
The UAE delegation was led by H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chair of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, accompanied by H.E. Ali Alhaj Al Ali, Permanent Delegate of the UAE to UNESCO, and Ebtesam Al Zaabi, Acting Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The delegation also included representatives from key national entities in the education, culture, and environment sectors.
UAE’s growing leadership role at UNESCO
In recognition of the UAE’s expanding global cultural and educational role, the country was elected Vice President of the conference and continues to serve as Chair of the Arab Group at UNESCO.
During the session, H.E. Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi reaffirmed the UAE’s long-standing commitment to UNESCO’s mission of promoting education, science, and culture as pillars of peace and sustainable development.
“In the UAE, we are committed to building peace through education, science, and culture. These pillars of UNESCO’s mandate form the foundation of the multilateralism our world urgently needs,” he said.
“Beyond the 2030 Agenda, our collective actions must be agile and forward-looking to meet new challenges and seize emerging opportunities.”
H.E. also announced the UAE’s candidacy for membership of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2027–2031 term, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to advancing UNESCO’s global initiatives.
Honouring Emirati culture and academia
The late Emirati poet Ahmed Bin Sulayem and the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have been included in UNESCO’s 2026–2027 Anniversaries Programme, which recognises individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to culture, education, and peace worldwide.
The commemorations mark the 50th anniversary of both the passing of Ahmed Bin Sulayem and the founding of UAEU (1976) — the nation’s first higher education institution.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, a master of classical and Nabati poetry, is celebrated for his role in shaping the UAE’s literary and cultural identity during the early 20th century. UNESCO’s recognition of UAEU, meanwhile, highlights its contributions to academic excellence, knowledge development, and the UAE’s national progress.
H.E. Al Qassimi also highlighted the UAE’s partnership with UNESCO in the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative, citing it as a model for future collaborations in cultural restoration and post-conflict recovery.
The recognitions collectively underscore the UAE’s growing influence in global cultural diplomacy, its commitment to heritage preservation, and its role as a partner in shaping international education and cultural policy.
In 2025, UNESCO also celebrated the centenary of the birth of Emirati poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, further highlighting the UAE’s rich literary heritage and enduring contributions to the Arab world’s cultural legacy.
