Paris: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik visited the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the French capital, Paris today, as part of His Majesty’s official visit to the French Republic.
Upon His Majesty’s arrival at the Organization’s headquarters, he was received by Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Director‑General of UNESCO; Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education; Amina bint Salem Al Balushi, Oman’s Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO; and a number of senior officials of the Organization, who welcomed His Majesty and conveyed their profound honour at receiving this gracious visit.
Subsequently, His Majesty viewed the “Oman and UNESCO” exhibition, which showcases the enduring collaboration between the Sultanate of Oman and the Organization, together with the notable achievements realised in the fields of culture, education and heritage.
His Majesty then proceeded to the Organization’s main hall, where the Director‑General of UNESCO delivered an address of welcome, expressing his great delight and pride at His Majesty’s visit and commending the civilisational and cultural role that the Sultanate of Oman plays in advancing the values of dialogue and mutual understanding among nations.
Following this, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik graciously delivered the following address:
“Your Excellency the Director‑General of UNESCO,
Your Excellency the President of the Executive Board,
Distinguished gathering
Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.
It is our great honour to convey our sincere gratitude for the gracious welcome extended to us here at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and for the heartfelt sentiments expressed by His Excellency the Director-General in his address — sentiments that eloquently attest to the depth of the historical ties binding the Sultanate of Oman and UNESCO.
We deem it a great honour to stand today within these venerable halls of an Organization that, throughout its illustrious history, has stood as one of the foremost pillars of global peace and a bridge-builder between civilisations, in faithful pursuit of its noble mission to serve all of humanity across the diverse domains of its endeavour.
This visit embodies the abiding approach of the Sultanate of Oman in upholding the international system, reinforcing the Organization’s role in advancing shared human principles and values, affirming strategic partnership with the international community in promoting intercultural dialogue, entrenching a culture of understanding and coexistence, and advancing the pathways of sustainable development in service of the stability and prosperity of nations.
The Sultanate of Oman has steadfastly contributed to supporting UNESCO’s mission and objectives since its accession to the Organization in 1972, guided by its conviction that the safeguarding of heritage, the advancement of knowledge, and investment in human capital are fundamental pillars for building the future. This commitment is reflected in our nation’s preservation of its civilisational legacy, the inscription of a number of its cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List, and the inclusion of several Omani personalities and historical events in the programme commemorating the 50th or 100th anniversaries of globally influential figures and events — a testament to the contribution of Omani civilisation to the human journey.
In furtherance of the Sultanate of Oman’s dedication to safeguarding living heritage as a shared human memory and a bridge for dialogue and understanding among peoples, we are pleased to announce today the launch of the “UNESCO‑Sultan Haitham Prize for Intangible Cultural Heritage,” which will honour the efforts of institutions, organizations, centres, scientific and cultural institutes, and governmental and non‑governmental bodies working in the field of intangible cultural heritage. This initiative builds upon our continued support for environmental conservation efforts, scientific research, and the advancement of knowledge through the hosting of UNESCO‑affiliated Chairs.
We further affirm the pivotal role of UNESCO in leading global efforts to achieve quality and inclusive education, empowering youth to contribute actively to development, entrenching the values of dialogue and understanding, encouraging their creative initiatives, and strengthening their role in leading community action.
In a world witnessing rapid and far‑reaching transformations, the policies of the Sultanate of Oman align with UNESCO’s efforts to establish ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence that safeguard human rights and dignity in the digital age, while simultaneously promoting media and information literacy to build more aware and cohesive societies.
The Sultanate of Oman firmly believes that addressing climate change is a collective responsibility requiring effective international partnerships and innovative solutions that balance development needs with environmental protection. Guided by this approach, our nation continues its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality through the expansion of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, enhancing resource efficiency, and supporting innovation in clean technologies.
Strengthening coexistence among religions and cultures has become a strategic imperative for achieving international security and peace. From this perspective, entrenching a culture of mutual respect, acceptance of the other, tolerance, openness to human diversity, and dialogue assumes central importance as the optimal path towards building a more stable and humane world — one governed by justice, where coexistence flourishes, and the values of sustainable peace are firmly rooted.
As we follow with keen interest the efforts of UNESCO in advancing its institutional performance, and enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness, we commend its ongoing endeavours in support of its core priorities that touch the present and future of humanity. We reaffirm the Sultanate of Oman’s unwavering commitment to supporting UNESCO’s noble mission, which aligns with Oman Vision 2040, and to working alongside the international community to strengthen the Organization’s pivotal role in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication, thereby contributing to the consolidation of the foundations of sustainable peace, the advancement of the values of tolerance and understanding, and the support of development and human prosperity in a more balanced, just, and stable world.
We express our profound pride in this esteemed international Organization, and extend our gratitude to His Excellency the Director‑General and all those who work within it for their dedicated efforts in serving humanity. We wish the Organization continued success in fulfilling its mission and in sustaining its contributions to building a brighter future for all humanity.”
Subsequently, His Majesty the Sultan graciously inscribed his signature in the Distinguished Visitors’ Book at the Organization, conveying his sincere appreciation for the remarkable endeavours undertaken by the Organization in fostering the values of education, advancing learning, and safeguarding the world’s cultural heritage.
At the conclusion of the visit, a commemorative gift was presented to His Majesty the Sultan. His Majesty, in turn, graciously bestowed upon the Organization a commemorative gift in the form of a replica of the Shabab Oman Vessel.
