QNA
Doha
The Ministry of Municipality celebrated the accession of three Qatari cities, Doha, Al Rayyan and Al Daayen to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
With Al Wakra, Al Shamal and Al-Shahaniya having joined the list earlier, this brings the number of Qatari cities that have obtained this membership to six.
The three municipalities were approved by UNESCO last September as part of the Education Cities Network that promotes sustainable development policies and practices through lifelong education programmes, and consolidates the values of equality, cohesion and peace within their society.
During the ceremony, Minister of Municipality HE Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, and Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, honoured the directors of the municipalities of the three cities. The honouring certificates were received by Director of Doha Municipality Mansour Ajran Al Buainain, and Director of Al Rayyan Municipality Jaber Hassan Al-Jaber, and the Director of Al Daayen Municipality Rashid Mashlash Al Khayareen.
In a statement on this occasion, HE Minister of Municipality, said that one of the most important ways to deal with the challenges facing the world today lies in rehabilitating community members to be able to contribute to inventing solutions that benefit their communities, and this is one of them.
His Excellency pointed out that this was the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Municipality and a number of relevant ministries and state institutions, to achieve the strategic objectives of the Ministry, which aim to raise the quality of life of the residents; To achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, and to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals, especially the fourth goal of quality education.
For his part, Mansour Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, Assistant Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality, expressed his happiness that Doha, Al Rayyan and Al Daayen, have joined the global network of learning cities from the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, which is added to the many achievements made by the municipalities during the past period, thanks to the fruitful cooperation and joint efforts of the Ministry of Municipality and a number of concerned ministries and state institutions, to achieve the strategic objectives of the Ministry and raise the quality of life for residents of all cities, within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030.
He explained that lifelong learning lays a systematic and sound basis for social and economic development and a sustainable environment, and effectively contributes to providing citizens and residents of Qatar with new knowledge and skills, to be more able to find sustainable solutions to the problems and challenges facing societies, especially environmental problems. He noted that the achievement came as a result of joint cooperation between the Ministry of Municipality and Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen.
In the same context, the Acting Secretary-General of the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science Ali Abdul Razzaq Al Maarafi, stressed that the accession of more cities of the State of Qatar to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is an indication of the extent of the state’s interest and its wise leadership to join the ranks of developed countries, and to achieve sustainable development goals, ensuring a decent life and a safe, inclusive learning environment that stimulates development and creativity for all.
He pointed out that this accession reflects the efforts made by all the cities joining the network, as well as those made by the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science. Membership of the Learning Cities Network is given only to cities that show real progress, creativity and innovation in enhancing lifelong learning opportunities for all ages and abilities. Expressing his pride in this achievement saying that as an added value that enhances Qatar’s position in international forums, and reflects its multiple achievements in all fields.
In turn, UNESCO representative for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha Salah Khaled, congratulated the State of Qatar on the accession of 3 more Qatari cities to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities for this year.
On the global level, Salah Khaled explained, in a speech via video conference, that 77 cities from 44 countries will join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2022; In recognition of their outstanding efforts in making lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level.
He explained that in 2021, UNESCO announced that the Qatari city of Al-Wakra won the UNESCO Learning Cities Award for the year 2021, for its outstanding achievements in the field of sustainable development and long-term learning.
He pointed out in this context that joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities or receiving the Learning Cities Award is not an end point, but a beginning because enabling lifelong learning is an ongoing process. He praised the continuous efforts of cities in the State of Qatar to continue developing sustainability plans, providing lifelong learning opportunities for all, increasing inclusion, and promoting dialogue on cultural diversity and coexistence.