Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has expressed strong disapproval of the ongoing aggression by Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the intentional targeting of innocent civilians and critical infrastructure, including educational and humanitarian facilities.
This position was articulated during Oman's involvement in the 221st Session of the UNESCO Executive Board, taking place at the organization's headquarters in Paris, France, which will run until April 17th.
Her Excellency Ambassador Amna bint Salem Al Balushi, Oman's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, represented the country at the session. In her speech, Ambassador Al Balushi acknowledged UNESCO's effective execution of its various programs and projects despite the current global challenges. She called on the organization to continue its support and assistance to nations in crisis, particularly focusing on Arab countries facing severe humanitarian issues, including the Gaza Strip in Palestine, as well as Lebanon and Yemen.
Additionally, Ambassador Al Balushi extended the Sultanate's condolences to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Kingdom of Thailand following the recent catastrophic earthquake in Myanmar. She also highlighted the urgent need to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 4 concerning education, and advocated for the establishment of a specific cultural goal in the post-2030 agenda. Furthermore, she underscored the necessity for enhanced efforts to address climate change and promote environmental and green education.
Ambassador Al Balushi highlighted that Oman has taken significant actions in partnership with UNESCO's Natural Sciences Sector, which include the registration of a geological park and two nature reserves dedicated to biodiversity preservation and the conservation of natural heritage. She expressed Oman's gratitude for UNESCO's efforts in assisting member states with the safeguarding of their cultural heritage and in promoting peace-building and intercultural dialogue. She mentioned the "Ship of Oman Youth" initiative, which focuses on sustainable peace and cultural exchange, noting that it has been recognized on UNESCO's List of Best Practices. This initiative is set to commence a journey next May, traveling to over 23 cities in Asia, Europe, and Africa, with the goal of fostering values of coexistence and peace among diverse communities.
