Ms. Costanza Farina, Director of UNESCO Beirut, opened the meeting by highlighting the urgency of accelerating efforts to achieve SDG 4, emphasizing that the discussions were not merely about identifying problems but also about finding actionable solutions through collaboration. She expressed confidence that collective efforts would unlock the transformative power of education and make lasting progress toward educational goals.

Participants, representing 16 Arab countries and 66 stakeholders from multilateral organizations, civil society, the private sector, and youth, engaged in working groups organized by regional divisions: The Levant, North Africa, and the Gulf States and Yemen. Key discussions focused on pressing issues such as climate change, peace, digital transformation, gender equality, and governance in education. Participants stressed the importance of equitable resource distribution and mobilization across sectors to support education as a regional priority.

As the meeting concluded, working groups presented concise summaries of their discussions, which contributed to a three-page document reflecting the region's key messages for the GEM. This document informed the final draft submitted at the GEM in Fortaleza, representing the distinct needs and aspirations of the Arab region.

Mr. Abdulsalam Al-Joufi, Consultant at the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and member of the Group of SHERPA, reaffirmed the importance of these consultations in preparing for international events like the GEM and the Summit of the Future. He highlighted the value of collective action and regional coordination to ensure a strong Arab presence in global education forums.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Maysoun Chehab, Chief of the Education Section and Senior Program Specialist at UNESCO Beirut, reinforced the importance of collaboration and bold actions to advance equitable, inclusive, and resilient education systems in the Arab region. She emphasized UNESCO Beirut's commitment to supporting member states in their pursuit of SDG 4, particularly in areas like climate education and digital transformation.

This consultation marks an important step toward shaping education policies that will empower future generations and ensure quality education for all across the Arab region.

Discover the insights and strategies shaping the future of education in the Arab States by exploring the Consultations on the 2024 Global Education Meeting (GEM) and its outcome document. Learn how regional collaboration is driving progress toward achieving equitable and inclusive education for all.