Preparations for the Global Education Meeting

The UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Beirut held a regional consultative meeting for the Arab region on September 3-4, 2024, as part of its preparations for the upcoming Global Education Meeting (GEM) in Fortaleza, Brazil. The meeting aimed to shape the final outcome document for the GEM, ensuring full coordination with Arab region representatives in the Group of SHERPA Committee, alongside UNESCO offices in Cairo, Doha, Rabat, and the Inter-Agency Secretariat (IAS) at UNESCO Headquarters.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Costanza Farina, Director of the UNESCO Beirut, emphasized the urgency of accelerating efforts to achieve SDG 4.

Farina added, "I want to express my confidence that together, we can unlock the transformative power of education and make real, lasting progress toward achieving SDG4."

From his side, Mr. Abdulsalam Al-Joufi, Consultant at the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and member of the Group of SHERPA, reinforced the importance of these consultations.

The two-day meeting drew participation from representatives of 16 Arab countries, bringing together 66 individuals from multilateral organizations, donors, civil society, educators, the private sector, and youth. The participants were organized into three working groups based on regional divisions: the Levant, North Africa, and the Gulf States and Yemen. In these groups, they explored the specific challenges and opportunities facing their respective regions, sharing insights on the strategies needed to advance current commitments.

Key discussions centered on critical issues relevant to the Arab region, such as climate change, environmental education, peace, human rights, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. The meeting also addressed Inclusion, equity, gender equality, health and nutrition, tax justice, and the reforms necessary to enhance the effectiveness of aid and ensure debt sustainability. Aid effectiveness, governance, leadership in education, and efficient investment in education were further points of focus, with participants stressing the need for equitable resource distribution and mobilization across sectors to support education as a regional priority.

As the sessions concluded, participants exchanged valuable ideas and insights from successful initiatives. Each working group developed concise summaries of their discussions, which will be consolidated into a three-page document highlighting key messages at both regional and sub-regional levels. This document will be submitted to the Inter-Agency Secretariat (IAS) to contribute to the final draft for the Global Education Meeting in Fortaleza.

In closing, Mr. Hashem Al-Ardawi, Senior Education Specialist at the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and a member of the Group of SHERPA, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts made during the meeting. He emphasized that this consultation marks a significant step toward forthcoming international events, including the Global Education Meeting and the Summit of the Future. He commended the high-quality contributions of the participants, noting that their proposals would contribute to a report that accurately reflects the distinct needs and aspirations of the Arab region.

Mr. Al-Joufi reaffirmed the Group of SHERPAs' commitment to representing the Arab region in international forums, stressing the importance of leveraging these consultations to strengthen collaboration among Arab countries. He further highlighted that collective action and regional coordination will play a vital role in ensuring a strong presence for the region at international meetings, including the Global Education Meeting in Fortaleza, thereby driving meaningful progress toward the education and sustainable development goals.

In this context, UNESCO Beirut continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to advancing SDG 4 in the Arab region. Through fostering regional coordination, convening consultative meetings, and participating in international forums, the office seeks to promote inclusive and equitable education for all. UNESCO remains a key partner in realizing the transformative power of education, empowering future generations, and ensuring that the ambitious educational objectives set for the Arab region are achieved.

Building on these points, Ms. Maysoun Chehab, Chief of the Education Section and Senior Program Specialist at UNESCO Beirut Office, further reinforced the message of collaboration.