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.



10 Endangered Black Rhinos Sent from S.Africa to Mozambique

Kenya Wildlife Services veterinarians and rangers rush to aid a sedated female black Rhinoceros that has been selected for translocation to the Segera Rhino Sanctuary from the Lake Nakuru National Park on June 07, 2025. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)
Kenya Wildlife Services veterinarians and rangers rush to aid a sedated female black Rhinoceros that has been selected for translocation to the Segera Rhino Sanctuary from the Lake Nakuru National Park on June 07, 2025. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)
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10 Endangered Black Rhinos Sent from S.Africa to Mozambique

Kenya Wildlife Services veterinarians and rangers rush to aid a sedated female black Rhinoceros that has been selected for translocation to the Segera Rhino Sanctuary from the Lake Nakuru National Park on June 07, 2025. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)
Kenya Wildlife Services veterinarians and rangers rush to aid a sedated female black Rhinoceros that has been selected for translocation to the Segera Rhino Sanctuary from the Lake Nakuru National Park on June 07, 2025. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)

Ten black rhinos have been moved from South Africa to Mozambique to secure breeding of the critically endangered animals that became locally extinct 50 years ago, conservationists said Thursday.

The five male and five female rhinos were transferred to Mozambique's Zinave National Park in a 48-hour road trip last week, said the Peace Parks Foundation, which took part in the translocation.

"It was necessary to introduce these 10 to make the population viable," communication coordinator Lesa van Rooyen told AFP.

The new arrivals will "secure the first founder population of black rhinos since becoming locally extinct five decades ago,” South Africa's environment ministry, which was also involved, said in a statement.

Twelve black rhinos had previously been sent from South Africa to Zinave in central Mozambique but the population was still not viable for breeding, Van Rooyen said.

Twenty-five white rhinos, which are classified as less threatened, were also translocated in various operations.

The global black rhino population dropped by 96 percent between 1970 and 1993, reaching a low of only 2,300 surviving in the wild, according to the International Rhino Foundation.

Decades of conservation efforts allowed the species to slowly recover and the population is estimated at 6,421 today.

Once abundant across sub-Saharan Africa, rhino numbers fell dramatically due to hunting by European colonizers and large-scale poaching, with their horns highly sought after on black markets particularly in Asia.

Mozambique's population of the large animals was depleted during the 15-year civil war, which ended in 1992 and pushed many people to desperate measures to "survive in very difficult circumstances", van Rooyen said.

Years of rewilding efforts have established Zinave as Mozambique’s only national park home to the "Big Five" game animals -- elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.