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Four major resolutions in favor of Palestine were unanimously adopted at the 43rd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported yesterday.
One of the resolutions adopts an urgent action plan for the Gaza Strip, aimed at mitigating the impact of the current situation on education and culture. It provides for the creation of an account dedicated to voluntary contributions, active monitoring of the necessary measures and the direct involvement of UNESCO in their implementation, according to the same source.
The second resolution concerns occupied El-Quds, with a specific plan for the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City. The other two resolutions concern the protection and support of
Educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the continuation of educational programs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Welcoming these decisions, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and chairman of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Ali Abu Zuhri, quoted by Wafa, described them as “a major diplomatic victory for Palestine and concrete support for its cultural and educational rights”.
“These resolutions provide legal and ethical tools to hold the occupation accountable and protect Palestinian rights to education, culture and heritage,” he said, calling on
UNESCO Member States and international partners to provide immediate financial and technical support for the reconstruction of schools, the resumption of educational activities and psycho-social assistance to students and teachers affected by Zionist attacks.
The resolutions emphasize the need to pay particular attention to plans for the recovery of schools in Gaza, to higher education, to programs for kindergartens and students with disabilities, as well as to strengthening international partnerships for the exchange of expertise.
The Arab, Islamic and allied delegations expressed their full solidarity with the Palestinian people, welcoming the international consensus obtained and reaffirming their commitment to putting an end to the occupation and guaranteeing Palestine its sovereign rights in the educational, cultural and scientific fields.