Delivering  his first introductory remarks as Chairperson of the Board, Dr Al Hinzab called  for renewed multilateral cooperation, stronger institutional delivery, and urgent action in response to mounting global crises and challenges.

Addressing Member States, the President of the General Conference, the Director-General, and distinguished delegates, he  thanked Member States for their confidence and pledged to carry out  his mandate with impartiality, fairness, transparency, and respect for all perspectives.

“I am committed to carrying out this mandate with the highest standards of impartiality and balance,” he said, stressing that consensus remains the foundation of the Executive Board’s effectiveness and unity.

Dr. Al Hinzab highlighted what he described as a renewed spirit of cooperation within UNESCO’s governing bodies following the recent elections of the President of the 43rd General Conference,  the new Director-General, Professor Khaled El-Enany, and himself  as Chairperson of the Executive Board.

“A constructive and positive working environment has taken shape,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of preserving the current momentum and ensuring that the Organization’s work remains grounded in trust and shared sense of purpose.

A World Facing Multiple Crises

The Chairperson warned (underscored?) that the international community is meeting at a defining moment marked by uncertainty, urgency, and profound transformation. He pointed to escalating conflicts, the accelerating climate crisis, widening inequalities, and rapid technological change as challenges requiring a stronger and more responsive UNESCO.

He expressed grave concern over the human cost of ongoing crises across many regions of the world, particularly the suffering of civilians and children, and underscored (stressed?) the importance of protecting the right to education in times of conflict and instability.

Referring to  the Global Education Monitoring Report, he noted that 277 million children and young people remain out of school worldwide, describing the figure not as a statistic but as a call to action.

“In a world of rising crises, education is among the most affected sectors, yet it is a vital lifeline and a fundamental right for millions,” he said.

Dr. Al Hinzab also condemned attacks on schools and universities, stressing that institutions of learning must remain sanctuaries of peace, coexistence, and opportunity.

Recalling the words of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar, delivered at UNESCO in 2018, he stated: “If we wish peace and prosperity for all, we must ensure education for all.”

The Need for a Strong UNESCO

The Chairperson stressed that UNESCO must be equipped not only with clear priorities, but also with the financial, technical, and programmatic capacities necessary to respond effectively to today’s global challenges.

“Education, science, culture, communication and information are not secondary,” he said. “They are fundamental pillars of peace and sustainable development.”

He reaffirmed the indispensable role of multilateralism at a time when international cooperation is under strain, calling on Member States to engage constructively, take informed decisions, and ensure effective implementation.

Governance, Reform and Accountability

Dr. Al Hinzab underscored the importance of improving follow-up to decisions adopted by the Executive Board, describing this as central to UNESCO’s credibility and institutional performance.

He welcomed the launch of the open-ended working group established by the General Conference at its 43rd session to strengthen the working methods of UNESCO’s governing bodies. Co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Executive Board and the President of the General Conference, the group recently held its first meeting with broad participation from Member States.

Its discussions focused on improving efficiency, transparency, coherence, and trust across the Organization’s governance system.

Programme and Budget at the Heart of the Session

A central item of the 224th session will be the examination of UNESCO’s Programme and Budget (C/5), which Dr. Al Hinzab described as more than a financial framework.

“It is the strategic expression of our collective priorities,” he said. “It defines how UNESCO will respond to global challenges, allocate its resources, and deliver results.”

He called for a budget that is ambitious yet realistic, transparent, and firmly anchored in measurable impact.

Welcoming the timely submission of a detailed Programme and Budget together with the full documentation for the session, he thanked the Director-General and the Secretariat, noting that such timely preparation had not occurred in many years.

No mention of the JIU assessment?

Advancing UNESCO80

Dr. Al Hinzab also welcomed progress under the UNESCO80 reform initiative, recognizing the leadership of Director-General Khaled El-Enany in presenting a comprehensive vision to strengthen the Organization’s relevance, delivery capacity, and role within the United Nations system.

He stressed that reforms must translate into tangible results through stronger coordination, better resource alignment, and greater support for field offices, where UNESCO’s impact is most visible.

He further emphasized that staff must remain at the center of institutional transformation including through merit-based career development, staff well-being, inclusion, and a credible internal justice system grounded in dignity and fairness.

A Turning Point for UNESCO

Concluding his remarks, the Chairperson said UNESCO stands at a turning point where institutions will be judged not by declarations, but by what they will deliver (in order not to repeat results).

“The world does not expect UNESCO to do everything,” he said. “But it does expect UNESCO to make a difference, on the ground.”

Quoting Albert Einstein — “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” — Dr. Al Hinzab called on Member States to ensure that UNESCO remains not only relevant to the challenges of the present, but equal to them.

The 224th session of the Executive Board will continue over the coming weeks with deliberations on UNESCO’s programme priorities, governance, reforms, and key global policy issues.