As part of his official visit to Lebanon, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, was received, on August 2, 2022, by H.E. General Michel Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon.
The meeting reviewed the process of cooperation between ALECSO and Lebanon. The Director-General briefed the Lebanese President on the main activities and programs implemented by ALECSO, and the key initiatives undertaken in response to COVID-19. He reaffirmed the Organization’s continued support for Lebanon following the Beirut Port explosion in August 2020, and commended the role of the Lebanese National Commission in facilitating the implementation of ALECSO’s activities in Lebanon.
The Director-General highlighted, during this meeting, the broad lines of ALECSO’s Action Plan for the period 2023-2028, as well as the updated Comprehensive Plan for Arab Culture, and indicated that preparations are underway, jointly with the Lebanese National Commission, for the celebration, in 2024, of the Lebanese city of Tripoli as Capital of Arab Culture.
For his part, the Lebanese President commended the valuable role undertaken by the Director-General of ALECSO, to whom he expressed his thanks for all the work he has accomplished to enhance cooperation with Lebanon and with all Arab States in the educational, cultural and scientific fields.
The Lebanese President reaffirmed Lebanon’s support for the Organization so that it can best pursue its mandate as a platform of expertise and a beacon of science and knowledge, and contribute to building an enlightened Arab generation driven by a passion for science and knowledge.
The Lebanese President stressed the importance of increased coordination among Arab States in the cultural field, indicating that cultural work is heavily affected by wars, conflicts, and crises in the Arab region and around the world, with critical impact on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. He also underlined the need for providing resources to enhance the role of culture and education in societies hit by severe economic crises and the adverse impact they have on young generations.
The meeting was attended by Judge Mohammad Wissam El-Mourtada, Lebanese Minister of Culture, and Mr. Abdelhedi Ghamari, Project Coordinator at the Culture Department.
