The closing session of the 115th meeting of ALECSO’s Executive Board was held on July 12, 2021 under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Hani bin Moqbel Al-Moqbel, Member of the Executive Board for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Director-General presented his report on the state of implementation of the Organization’s projects and programs, as well as the initiatives implemented by the Organization and its subsidiary institutions in cooperation with many partners. The Board paid tribute to these efforts and thanked the Director-General for the achievements made despite the exceptional circumstances imposed by the pandemic.
The Executive Board approved the final accounts of the Organization for the year 2020, and thanked the General Director ate for having been able, despite the pandemic conditions, to create an adequate general reserve.
With regard to the Arab Plan for Education in Times of Crisis and Emergency, which ALECSO is working on in collaboration and coordination with the concerned departments of the Arab League General Secretariat, the Board commended this initiative which comes at the right time to help cope with the emergency conditions caused by the pandemic and maintain the continuity of learning. The Board asked the General Directorate to present the draft Plan to the concerned advisory committees in the Arab countries and National Commissions, in preparation for its submission to the next Executive Board meeting.
The Board approved the Organization’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028, prepared by the senior personnel and experts of the Organization and its subsidiary institutions, in coordination with the committee emanating from the Executive Board.
The Board examined the educational, cultural and scientific situation in Palestine, especially the city of Al-Quds and the dangers threatening it. The Board was briefed on the two reports prepared by the Board member for the State of Palestine, which won the appreciation and attention of the Board for the extensive information they provide concerning the situation in the Palestinian territories and the continuous suffering experienced by the Palestinian people.
The Board reaffirmed its continued support for the State of Palestine in the educational, cultural and scientific fields, and stressed the need to preserve manuscripts by helping with their digitization and documentation, so that this Palestinian heritage will be bequeathed to future generations and protected against looting by the Israeli occupation.
In this context, the Director-General indicated that the Organization will continue to provide technical and financial support in the educational, cultural and scientific fields, especially as regards the preservation of the identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, in coordination with the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The Board approved the appointment of Dr. Mourad Rifi, candidate of Morocco, to fill the position of Director of the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts.
The Board agreed to hold its 116th ordinary session in Saudi Arabia on January 25-27, 2022.
The Board thanked the Director-General for the results achieved despite the exceptional circumstances, as well as for the comfortable financial position of the Organization, the rationalization of spending, and the satisfactory project implementation rate, which encourages to continue working at the same pace in pursuit of the set goals.
On his part, the Director-General paid tribute to the Board members for the high sense of responsibility they showed in addressing the agenda items, and for their useful and constructive discussions on how to further enhance the strategic role of the Organization in the Arab World and beyond.
The Board hailed the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to organize, for the first time in the history of the Organization, the “ALECSO in Saudi Arabia” meeting, which brought together 50 national bodies and 70 leaders. The Kingdom was keen to document this experience in all its stages and to share it with Member States, as part of its endeavor to transfer best experiences.
In his closing remarks, H.E. Mr. Hani Al-Moqbel, Chairman of the Executive Board, expressed his appreciation of the excellent conditions in which the meeting was held, looking forward to a better future for ALECSO so that it will pursue its mandate in optimum conditions.
