Salam praises UNESCO’s support for Lebanon and stresses the importance of protecting education and cultural heritage

In Paris, Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam met with Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and expressed to him his deep appreciation for the continued support UNESCO is providing to Lebanon at this delicate stage. He praised the reactivation of the emergency plan for Lebanon, particularly the special account dedicated to the country, which constitutes a key tool for mobilizing resources and coordinating the international response to current challenges, especially in the education sector.

Prime Minister Salam commended the efforts being made to ensure the continuity of education despite the exceptional circumstances, through the establishment of temporary learning spaces and alternative learning centers, the provision of essential educational materials and supplies, as well as support for distance learning and the training of teachers and volunteers in emergency education mechanisms.

At the same time, he praised the ongoing efforts to protect Lebanon’s cultural heritage and preserve archaeological sites, expressing his appreciation for the call to convene an extraordinary session that resulted in the inclusion of 39 additional sites on the enhanced protection list, alongside 34 sites previously listed, in what constitutes a fundamental step in safeguarding Lebanon’s cultural heritage.

He also lauded the role UNESCO plays in supporting media freedom and enhancing the safety of journalists.