Saudi Arabia Engages In 220th UNESCO Executive Board Session To Address Humanitarian Issues

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively participating in the 220th session of UNESCO's Executive Board, which commenced at the organisation's headquarters in Paris, France. The Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, along with other national bodies, is also involved in these sessions that will run until October 23. Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, Saudi Ambassador to France and Monaco and the Kingdom’s acting permanent delegate to UNESCO, leads the delegation.

During the session, Al-Ruwaili addressed the board members, including the chairperson of the Executive Board, UNESCO’s General Conference president, and UNESCO’s director-general. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts with regional and international partners to tackle humanitarian issues affecting civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. Al-Ruwaili reiterated the Kingdom's call for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians and infrastructure, prevention of violence, and a comprehensive resolution to ensure security and stability.

The ambassador underscored Saudi Arabia’s dedication to implementing relevant UNESCO resolutions. He emphasised supporting UNESCO’s active role in promoting peace through education, culture, and science. This commitment was further demonstrated by Saudi Arabia hosting the Global AI Summit in Riyadh last September. During this event, a trilateral agreement was signed between the Saudi government, UNESCO, and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE).

This agreement resulted in ICAIRE being accredited as a UNESCO Category 2 Center. This move highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development. Al-Ruwaili stressed that supporting joint efforts is crucial for achieving UNESCO’s objectives and enhancing global heritage protection.

Al-Ruwaili drew attention to Saudi Arabia's extensive collaboration with its partners worldwide to address worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Lebanon. He called for urgent action to protect civilians and infrastructure while preventing further violence. The ambassador emphasised that a just solution is necessary for lasting peace and stability in these regions.

Saudi Arabia continues to play a significant role on the global stage by engaging with international organisations like UNESCO. Through initiatives such as hosting summits on AI and signing agreements with key institutions like ICAIRE, the Kingdom demonstrates its commitment to fostering innovation while addressing pressing global challenges.

The participation of Saudi Arabia in these sessions reflects its dedication to contributing positively towards international cooperation through education, culture, science, and technology. By aligning with UNESCO's goals and resolutions, Saudi Arabia aims to promote peace while ensuring sustainable development across various sectors.

With inputs from SPA