The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) took part in the International Ministerial Conference for Palestinian Culture, which was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Ernest Urtasun, Spain's Minister of Culture, in Madrid, Spain, on 15 July 2026. The Conference brought together Ministers of Culture along with representatives of governments, international and regional organizations, and cultural institutions.
The ALECSO delegation was headed by the Director-General, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Organization, demosntrating ALECSO's commitment to supporting Palestinian culture, safeguarding its civilizational heritage, and strengthening Arab and international efforts to protect Palestinian cultural identity and rehabilitate damaged cultural institutions.
In his opening remarks, the Spanish Minister emphasized that the reconstruction of the Palestinian cultural sector is an integral part of broader reconstruction efforts. He stressed that protecting Palestinian cultural heritage and preserving the cultural identity of the Palestinian people are a shared international responsibility. He also called for the establishment of an international alliance to coordinate efforts aimed at rehabilitating cultural infrastructure, supporting cultural institutions and professionals, and safeguarding Palestinian heritage for future generations.
For his part, H.E. Dr. Imad Al-Din Hamdan, Minister of Culture of Palestine, highlighted the massive destruction and deliberate targeting of the Palestinian cultural sector, including cultural institutions, heritage sites, museums, libraries, and places of worship, describing these acts as violations of international law and international conventions on the protection of cultural heritage. He called for mobilizing international support to rebuild the Palestinian cultural landscape and enable cultural institutions to resume their vital role in preserving the Palestinian people's national identity and historical memory. He also commended the Spanish initiative and the support it has received from participating countries and organizations.
ALECSO's participation in the Conference proceeds from its mandate to protect Arab cultural heritage and support Palestinian cultural institutions, and reaffirms its backing for the Spanish initiative aimed at promoting the rights of the Palestinian people, mobilizing international cooperation for the reconstruction of the Palestinian cultural sector, and safeguarding its civilizational heritage; thereby strengthening the presence of Palestinian culture and preserving its historical and human components.
The two-day Conference was designed to pool international and regional efforts to develop a joint action plan for the rehabilitation of the Palestinian cultural sector, the protection of heritage sites and cultural institutions, and the strengthening of the resilience of cultural professionals; thereby contributing to the preservation of Palestinian cultural identity and the promotion of sustainable cultural development.
