UAE elected Vice President of UNESCO General Conference

November 10, 2025 / 10:18 PM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: The United Arab Emirates has been elected Vice President of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 30 October to 13 November 2025, with representatives from 194 member states in attendance.

UAE delegation and leadership

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chair of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, led the UAE delegation, including Ali Alhaj Al Ali, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, and Ebtesam Al Zaabi, Acting Secretary-General of the Commission.

Commemorating Emirati achievements

UNESCO announced the inclusion of the late poet Ahmed Bin Sulayem and the United Arab Emirates University in its 2026-2027 Anniversaries Programme, marking 50 years since Bin Sulayem’s passing and the UAE University’s founding.

Advancing UNESCO’s mission

Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to UNESCO’s goals in education, culture, and science, highlighting partnerships like “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” for post-crisis cultural restoration. The UAE also announced its candidacy for the UNESCO Executive Board for 2027–2031.

Strengthening global cultural role

The UAE’s election as Vice President and its role as Chair of the Arab Group of UNESCO underscore the nation’s growing influence in cultural diplomacy, education, and heritage preservation on the international stage.