Qatar National Consultations: Follow-up on commitments of the Transforming Education Summit and to achieving SDG 4

In line with the State of Qatar's commitment to transforming education and highlighting the pivotal role of education as a critical enabler for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar, and the Education Above All Foundation, organized a national consultation in Doha on September 2-3, 2024.

The event comes within the framework of preparations for the United Nations' Summit of the Future, which will be held on 22-23 September 2024. National consultations were conducted to follow up on the implementation of the national commitments announced by the State of Qatar during the Transforming Education Summit in 2022. The State of Qatar has met almost all of its SDG4 targets and indicators. Significant progress has been made on several indicators, with the commitments at the TES highlighting few areas for further attention. The consultations provided an opportunity to highlight the progress made by the country towards achieving Goal 4 of the SDGs and reviewed the measures taken to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Education Agenda, contributing to the achievement of the other sixteen Sustainable Development Goals.

Through a multistakeholder approach, the consultation gathered participants from various sectors, including policymakers, community institutions, relevant ministries, regional and international organizations, to exchange ideas and visions. The aim was to ensure that educational outcomes align with the future labor market's needs. Discussions covered key topics such as education for climate action and sustainability, advancing digital transformation in education, securing sustainable government funding, supporting teachers and the teaching profession, aligning education with labor market priorities, and ensuring quality education during crises and emergencies. National initiatives for the Education Transformation Summit tracks were also discussed.

Secretary-General of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, Ali Abdulrazzaq Al Marafi, stressed that the consultations come at a critical time when the world is facing major challenges that require reconsidering how education is provided to meet the needs of future generations. He noted that these consultations would contribute to enhancing cooperation and partnerships between various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the ambitious education plans set by the State of Qatar.

''The consultations provide a vital platform to address the evolving educational needs in a rapidly changing world," said Salah Khaled, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen.

The consultations concluded with a collective commitment and consensus on priority actions, building on existing plans, programmes, and initiatives. It outlines Qatar's national priorities and actions, which will serve as the foundation for ongoing discussions and the development of future projects and initiatives. UNESCO, in collaboration with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar, and the Education Above All Foundation, will continue to support initiatives aimed at achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, both in Qatar and beyond.