Madinah, KAEC, Al-Ahsa Join UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

The UNESCO logo is seen during the opening of the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at their headquarters in Paris, France, October 30, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
The UNESCO logo is seen during the opening of the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at their headquarters in Paris, France, October 30, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
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Madinah, KAEC, Al-Ahsa Join UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

The UNESCO logo is seen during the opening of the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at their headquarters in Paris, France, October 30, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
The UNESCO logo is seen during the opening of the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at their headquarters in Paris, France, October 30, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced that the cities of Madinah, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), and Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

With the new announcement, Saudi Arabia now boasts five cities enlisted in the UNESCO GNLC, contributing to the goal of equipping globally competitive citizens in alignment with the sustainable development goals and Saudi Vision 2030.

The enlistment of these cities is the result of the collective efforts of the National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, under the directives and support of the Minister of Culture, Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan, and Education Minister Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, who is also the committee's deputy chairman.

Previously, Yanbu Industrial City was designated as a UNESCO Learning City in 2022, and Jubail Industrial City earned the Learning City status in 2020. Moreover, Jubail Industrial City received the UNESCO Learning City Award in 2021.

These recognitions serve as a testament to the quality of education in the Kingdom and its commitment to lifelong learning for all, as well as the implementation of policies that promote comprehensive and sustainable development.

The National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science aims to further increase the number of Learning Cities within the network.

Launched in 2012, the UNESCO GNLC aims to support and improve lifelong learning practices in cities worldwide. This is achieved by fostering dialogue on education policies, establishing connections between cities and various educational institutions, and enhancing partnerships between cities at local and international levels.

Learning Cities leverage their resources across all sectors to promote comprehensive learning for all, from primary education to higher education. They also stimulate learning within families and local communities, facilitate learning for work, and expand the use of modern educational tools to foster a culture of lifelong learning.

These efforts enhance individuals' capabilities, social cohesion, and the economic and cultural growth of communities, ultimately contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. Additionally, these initiatives aim to expand the use of modern learning technologies and enhance the quality and excellence of education, recognizing them as key components in spreading a culture of lifelong learning.



Syria Seeks EU Help to Battle Massive Wildfires

FILE : A fire burns at a forest in Latakia province, Syria in this handout released by SANA on October 9, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS
FILE : A fire burns at a forest in Latakia province, Syria in this handout released by SANA on October 9, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS
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Syria Seeks EU Help to Battle Massive Wildfires

FILE : A fire burns at a forest in Latakia province, Syria in this handout released by SANA on October 9, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS
FILE : A fire burns at a forest in Latakia province, Syria in this handout released by SANA on October 9, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS

Syria’s minister of emergencies and disaster management on Tuesday requested support from the European Union to battle wildfires that have swept through a vast stretch of forested land.

The fires have been burning for six days, with Syrian emergency crews struggling to bring them under control amid strong winds and severe drought.

Neighboring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye have already dispatched firefighting teams to assist in the response.

“We asked the European Union for help in extinguishing the fires,” minister Raed al-Saleh said on X, adding Cyprus was expected to send aid on Tuesday, AFP reported.

“Fear of the fires spreading due to strong winds last night prompted us to evacuate 25 families to ensure their safety without any human casualties,” he added.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) office in Syria, the fires impacted “some 5,000 persons, including displacements, across 60 communities.”

An estimated 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of forest and farmland -- more than three percent of Syria’s forest cover -- have burned, OCHA told AFP.

At least seven towns in Latakia province have been evacuated as a precaution.

Efforts to extinguish the fires have been hindered by “rugged terrain, the absence of firebreaks, strong winds, and the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance”, Saleh said.

With man-made climate change increasing the likelihood and intensity of droughts and wildfires worldwide, Syria has also been battered by heatwaves and low rainfall.

In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said Syria had “not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years.”