Paris, September 09 (QNA) - HE President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hanzab praised Qatar's efforts in making the protection of education, particularly in situations of conflict and crisis, an issue of growing international attention, pointing to the vital role played by the Education Above All Foundation in this field.
This came in his speech on Wednesday at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, on the occasion of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which falls on September 9 of each year. 
This year's observance is held under the theme "Can Education Survive Attacks? Human Societies' Resilience," in the presence of UNESCO Director-General Dr. Khaled El Enany, alongside a number of ministers and representatives of member states.
Al Hanzab stated that the UN General Assembly's adoption of the resolution designating September 9 as the International Day to Protect Education from Attack came upon an initiative by the State of Qatar. 
He noted that this occasion has since become an important platform to keep the issue of educational protection at the forefront of the international agenda, rallying further global attention and action.
The UNESCO Executive Board President pointed out that the organization's headquarters hosted a high-level celebration of this occasion in 2022 in partnership with the State of Qatar and the Education Above All Foundation, with the participation of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who has been one of the most prominent voices calling for enhanced international action to protect education. 
He stressed that safeguarding education from attacks requires transitioning from international commitments to practical measures ensuring the safety of learners and teachers alongside the continuity of the educational process, especially during crises and conflicts.
He explained that the four subsequent years witnessed the translation of calls to action into concrete decisions within UNESCO.
In 2024, the Executive Board called for a preventive action plan to protect education from attacks, affirming the organization's pivotal role in preventing and protecting against assaults targeting education. The Board later renewed this call that same year, urging consultations with member states in drafting the plan.
He added that this process reached a significant milestone last April when the Executive Board approved UNESCO's preventive action plan for protecting education from attack.
He explained that the plan provides a comprehensive framework enabling the organization to support member states before, during, and after crises by combining prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Furthermore, the UNESCO Director-General affirmed the organization's readiness to continue strengthening the action plan dedicated to protecting education from attacks.
Dr. Al Hanzab commended the efforts of the UNESCO Director-General and the organization's secretariat in advancing this process, emphasizing that the plan's adoption represents a major achievement for the organization and a solid foundation for action in the coming phase.
He stressed that the adoption of the plan does not mark the end of the work, but rather the beginning of the responsibility to ensure its implementation. 
He emphasized that protecting education cannot begin after an attack occurs; rather, it must precede it by identifying risks, enhancing preparedness, supporting educational systems, and ensuring continuous learning under the most difficult circumstances.
HE Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hanzab asserted that implementing the plan will require sustainable political commitment, partnerships, and resources, pointing to the importance of the multi-partner special account dedicated to voluntary contributions for education in emergencies as a vital tool for executing the plan.
He called on UNESCO to proactively communicate with member states regarding the account through a close and transparent dialogue featuring a consultative mechanism, alongside regular reporting on implementation and resource utilization. This includes holding an annual meeting to review progress, priorities, and resource mobilization, thereby boosting member states' confidence and ownership of the process and making the account a true instrument for collective action.
On behalf of the Executive Board, he renewed the commitment to supporting the implementation of the preventive action plan and continuing to embed educational protection within UNESCO's work during crises and conflicts.
HE the UNESCO Executive Board President concluded by stressing that the true benchmark for the success of international efforts lies in achieving security for learners and teachers, ensuring their ability to continue learning and teaching, and preserving education as a source of hope when crises strike. (QNA)