Education remains fundamental human right: UNESCO Regional Director

Doha: In a statement marking the International Day of Education 2026, Director of Unesco s Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen Salah Khaled,...

Doha: In a statement marking the International Day of Education 2026, Director of Unesco’s Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen Salah Khaled, reaffirmed that education remains a fundamental human right, a public good and a shared responsibility.

This year’s global theme, “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,” highlights the growing importance of engaging young people as innovators and decision-makers in building inclusive, relevant and future-ready education systems

With more than half of the world’s population now under the age of 30, youth leadership is increasingly seen as pivotal to achieving peaceful, just and sustainable societies.

However, Unesco cautioned that millions of young people across regions, including the Gulf States and Yemen, continue to face barriers such as poverty, inequality and limited access to quality education, which hinder their ability to fully realise their potential.

Meaningful participation, the organisation noted, must go beyond consultation and extend throughout the entire policy formulation and implementation process.