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Saudi Arabia Participates in UNESCO Executive Council's 217th session

The Saudi participation, consisting of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and various competent national bodies. SPA
The Saudi participation, consisting of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and various competent national bodies. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Participates in UNESCO Executive Council's 217th session

The Saudi participation, consisting of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and various competent national bodies. SPA
The Saudi participation, consisting of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and various competent national bodies. SPA

Saudi Arabia, represented by its permanent delegation to UNESCO, participated in the works of the 217th session of the Executive Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which kicked off Monday.

The event is being held at UNESCO’s headquarters in the French capital, Paris, and continues until the 18th of this month.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation is headed by the Saudi Ambassador to France Fahd Al-Ruwaili, who delivered the Kingdom's speech in the presence of high level representatives of the Council's 58 member states, Chairman of the Executive Council of UNESCO, President of the General Conference of UNESCO and Director-General of UNESCO.
Al-Ruwaili recalled the outcomes of the expanded 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, which was hosted by capital, Riyadh, from September 10 to 25 last year, stressing the potential that the Kingdom abounds in hosting such a meeting, citing the presence of nearly 3,000 delegations from UNESCO member states, observers, advisory committees and UNESCO employees, SPA reported.

He presented Saudi Arabia's bid to host the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT) 2025, stressing the Kingdom’s aspiration to cooperate with all concerned parties in achieving this objective.

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Pharrell Williams is Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
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Pharrell Williams is Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

Pop star and fashion designer Pharrell Williams was named UNESCO’s goodwill ambassador for artistic education and entrepreneurship on Tuesday in Paris, continuing his cultural dominance of the French capital as Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director and performer at Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening earlier this month.
Williams said he hoped to “deepen that sense of unity and togetherness” in work that “evens the odds for marginalized communities.”
He also spoke about his impoverished youth, adding: “Growing up in Virginia, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given an opportunity like this one."
The role of goodwill ambassador for the Paris-based UN cultural agency involves promoting its initiatives that include protecting indigenous cultures, advancing education and health care for women, raising awareness about genocide prevention and safeguarding cultural heritage, The Associated Press reported.
The UN agency said Williams will be “a mentor and role model for young creators, particularly in Africa, where UNESCO supports the development of cultural industries.”
Williams joins a list of goodwill ambassadors that includes US jazz musician Herbie Hancock, Brazilian artist Vik Muniz and Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase.
Williams has been particularly visible in Paris this year. Shortly before the Paris Olympics, his role as Louis Vuitton menswear designer took center stage during a star-studded event at UNESCO’s headquarters. The show, celebrating the beauty of human skin, featured models wearing garments in shades representing the diverse hues of humanity.
UNESCO leaders hope that Williams' global influence and deep connections to fashion and music will draw fresh attention to the agency’s work.
Williams is American, and his selection as goodwill ambassador also may be highlighting the readmission of the United States to UNESCO last year.
The US exit under President Donald Trump cited alleged anti-Israel bias within the agency. The decision followed a 2011 decision by UNESCO to include Palestine as a member state, which led the US and Israel to cease financing for the agency.
The US return under President Joe Biden was marked by a flag-raising ceremony attended by US First Lady Jill Biden.