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In the face of escalating violence in the Middle East, UNESCO is providing emergency support for the people on the frontline, through the protection of heritage, the continuity of education, psychosocial support for children, and safety training for journalists, while discussions continue to expand and tailor interventions.
Today, some 125 sites — 10% of all World Heritage sites worldwide — are at risk due to their proximity to hostilities, and tens of millions of children are deprived of their right to education. UNESCO has activated an emergency programme to support cultural professionals and protect heritage in the affected countries. Actions are already underway and more are expected to begin shortly.
In times of crisis, women and girls stand on the front line. UNESCO is joining forces with its partners to deliver on the promise of girls’ and women’s empowerment, showcasing the talents and defending the rights of women journalists, teachers, and researchers. We reaffirmed this commitment on 8 March, on International Women’s Day, as well as during the Commission on the Status of Women and through preparations for the launch of the United Nations World Water Development Report later this month.
In times of crisis, education is a lifeline. UNESCO continues to serve as a global platform for strengthening cooperation in education. We hosted the G7 high-level event on education financing, launched a new global roadmap for higher education, and publishes new guidance for public digital learning platforms. Later this month, we’ll host the Global Education Coalition meeting and on 25 March, we will launch the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report — the global reference on the state of education — which will present alarming new figures on out-of-school children worldwide. We stand stronger than ever on our core principles, not yielding an inch in our commitment to defend people everywhere.
Pr. Khaled El-Enany
Director-General of UNESCO
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