World · South & Central Asia · 20 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia hands over leadership of Arab education and culture body
Saudi Arabia is handing over leadership of ALECSO, the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.
It has chaired the organization’s executive council for five years and its general conference for two years.
Oman is due to take over the conference presidency at a meeting in Muscat on November 12.
Saudi Arabia’s executive council term is set to end at a meeting on November 9 and 10.
During its council presidency, Saudi Arabia says it launched 29 initiatives to improve the organization’s work and 40 initiatives to promote Saudi content.
The changes included new committees and procedures to track decisions, budgets and programs, with the aim of making the organization’s work more accountable and effective.
A proposed $1 million in aid is still awaiting approval for Yemen, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Libya over the 2027–2028 financial cycle.
Saudi Arabia is due to hand over the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization’s (ALECSO) General Conference presidency to Oman on November 12.
The handover follows two years of Saudi leadership of the General Conference and five years leading ALECSO’s Executive Council.
Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the Executive Council is set to end at its 125th meeting on November 9 and 10.
The Saudi-led work included 69 initiatives, institutional reforms and changes to how the organization follows up on decisions.
A Saudi proposal to allocate $1 million to five countries affected by conflict is due to be considered at the next General Conference.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia is handing over leadership of ALECSO; Oman is to take over the General Conference presidency.
- What
- Saudi Arabia is ending its presidencies of ALECSO’s General Conference and Executive Council.
- When
- The Executive Council meeting is scheduled for November 9 and 10, 2026; the General Conference handover is scheduled for November 12.
- Where
- The General Conference session is to be held in Muscat, Oman.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia’s terms as president are ending after five years leading the Executive Council and two years leading the General Conference.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Saudi Arabia began its five-year presidency of ALECSO’s Executive Council.
Saudi Arabia began its two-year presidency of the General Conference at a meeting in Jeddah.
The Executive Council is scheduled to hold its 125th meeting, concluding Saudi Arabia’s presidency.
ALECSO’s 28th General Conference session is scheduled in Muscat, where Saudi Arabia is to hand over the presidency to Oman.
- Executive Council presidency
- Five years, beginning in July 2021
- General Conference presidency
- Two years, beginning in May 2024
- Initiatives
- 40 to promote Saudi content; 29 to develop institutional work
- Member participation
- 22 Arab countries took part in joint workshops
- Proposed aid
- $1 million for Yemen, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Libya in the 2027–2028 financial cycle