UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

capabilities in all fields, and supports dialogue and interaction between cultures. Moreover, it has kept pace with
the rapidly occurring changes resulting from the awe-inspiring advances that are being made in information and
communication technology. Believing as I do in UNESCO’s principles and the distinguished role it plays as an
institution that fosters peace and progress, a role that has made it the world’s conscience and the guardian of lofty
human values, I consider that it is incumbent upon me not to be content with speaking with approval of the
Organization’s positive accomplishments, but that I should also try to shed light on some aspects that may
represent rather more negative features of the programme that has been submitted to us for our consideration. For
example, first, the results expected are listed for a large number of proposed programmes in a limited number of
countries, with no definition of the criteria and bases used to define the States or regions that will benefit from
those programmes, or the reasons justifying the omission of other States and regions that do not appear in the list.
Secondly, emphasis is placed on the implementation of science-related activities at Headquarters, while field
activities account for only 37% of all activities. Furthermore, the regular budget allocation for the activities of the
science programme is much less than the allocations for staffing and other administrative matters. Thirdly, the Plan
for the Promotion of Arab Culture still appears to occupy an unclear place among UNESCO’s programmes and
projects; despite the fact that it was approved over eight years ago, it has not yet reached the stage of actual
implementation, and there is nothing about it in the Draft Programme and Budget for the coming biennium.
Moreover, the Arabic language continues to play a smaller role than the other working languages. This is a matter
that calls for greater attention. Fourthly, despite the fact that there are various regional and quasi-regional
organizations in the Arab region that work in the same fields of competence as UNESCO itself, the Draft
Programme and Budget does not include any activities to be undertaken jointly with those organizations, notably as
regards science-related programmes and programmes relating to information and communication. I therefore urge
UNESCO to strengthen its cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization,
the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf
States. At the same time, I should like to see greater support for UNESCO’s regional office for the Arab States in
the Gulf through the provision of more international expertise in all UNESCO’s fields of competence, especially
education, so that that office becomes a centre of expertise and consultation that will be in a position to supply
assistance when necessary.
(34.4) Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the UAE believes unquestioningly that education is a
fundamental element in the advancement and flowering of society, and the main means of bringing sustainable
development to fruition. We also believe that the development of education is a fundamental prerequisite to
keeping pace with the times we live in, confronting their challenges and responding to the new needs of individuals
and society. Nine years after the adoption of the World Declaration on Education for All, it is fair to say that the
UAE has achieved noteworthy progress in the field of basic education, and that it has made great strides towards
the attainment of the objective of providing education for all. This is especially satisfactory in view of the fact that
the decade of the 1990s has been marked by far-reaching changes in many international systems, particularly as
regards the rapid spread of information technology and means of communication, with the result that it has become
urgently necessary for the rising generation to acquire new knowledge, skills and orientations. The UAE’s political
leadership believes that every possible effort should be made to achieve sustainable human development, keep up
with the times, and be aware of every new development, in order to formulate policies that are more satisfactory in
terms of responding to the demands of an evolving world, ensuring that the necessary tools are available, and
attaining the ends in view. In this connection, I suggest that in order for education to be for all, it is first necessary
for all to be for education, and accordingly our society has mobilized all its capabilities and resources in pursuit of
that objective.
(34.5) The UAE fully understands that women constitute half of society, that it is essential for them to play an
important role in the onward march of development, and to that end they must be armed with knowledge and skills
and receive unlimited support from all sectors of society, both official and popular. In the UAE, women have
attained comprehensive progress and have come to occupy a noteworthy position. They now work in many fields of
scientific, educational, cultural, social and economic activity, and they have now begun to assume their
responsibilities, alongside men, in various areas of life, and to play an active role in the massive developmentrelated
changes the country is currently witnessing. Official statistics indicate that the numbers of girls enrolled in
school at all levels have increased impressively: girls now account for 49% of all pupils at the primary level, 49%
at the intermediate level, and 55% at the secondary level.
(34.6) With a view to the qualitative improvement and development of its education system, the UAE has
embarked on an ambitious programme aimed at the upgrading of that system in the course of the first two decades
of the coming century. The programme is designed to generate an integrated work plan for the preparation of a
skilled, qualified national labour force that will be capable of meeting the demands of comprehensive development.
In addition, the plan will be geared to continuing evolution and improvement, and it will adopt a set of strategic
goals enshrining the nation’s ambition to create an appropriate education system through a number of clearly
defined projects aimed at generating national policies, curricula and capabilities. In addition, the necessary
resources will be mustered and information and communication systems developed with a view to achieving a
qualitative transition affecting all practical aspects of education.
(34.7) Madam President, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, as we bid adieu to the twentieth century
and prepare to welcome a new century and a new millennium, we all aspire to see this long-established
Organization transform itself along lines such that it will be left in possession of the means, intellectual tools and
knowledge by which it will be able to contribute to the shaping of a future dominated by peace and security, a
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