Egypt announces candidacy for UNESCO Executive Board for 2029–2033 term

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture Abdel Aziz Qonsowa announced Egypt’s candidacy for membership of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the 2029-2033 term, affirming Egypt’s support for efforts to develop the UN agency and strengthen its role in education, scientific research and cultural heritage protection.

The Minister made the remarks during a speech that he delivered at the 225th session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris, where he reviewed Egypt’s endeavors to upgrade its higher education, scientific research and innovation system, as well as its positions on issues presented to the UN agency.

Qonsowa also expressed appreciation for the efforts of UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, particularly his reform vision under the “UNESCO 80” initiative, which seeks to enhance the agency’s effectiveness, improve resource management and diversify funding sources.

In the field of education, he underscored the importance of using artificial intelligence responsibly, equitably and safely to improve the quality of education and support teachers.

The Minister also stressed the need to preserve the central role of human beings in the educational process and strengthen cooperation with UNESCO to establish rules ensuring that artificial intelligence models are aligned with students’ learning needs and cognitive and educational development.

Qonsowa also highlighted efforts to develop higher education, scientific research and innovation in Egypt, citing plans to begin implementing the Tier 1 model for globally leading universities at five Egyptian universities.

Regarding cultural heritage protection, he indicated that UNESCO’s General Conference had adopted an Egyptian initiative to designate August 21 each year as World Underwater Cultural Heritage Day.

In the field of water sciences, the minister underscored Egypt’s interest in strengthening cooperation with UNESCO under the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and benefiting from the agency’s expertise and international networks in the sustainable management of water resources, the governance of rivers and transboundary waterways, as well as promoting scientific collaboration and capacity-building.

Qonsowa also pointed to the efforts of the African Centre for Water and Climate Adaptation, affiliated with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in building the capacities of African cadres working in this field, noting that the center had recently been designated as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre.