Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany visited Lebanon, engaging with displaced students and teachers and observing their dedication to education despite challenging conditions. The visit highlighted the need for secure, supportive learning environments to help children recover lost learning and rebuild confidence for the future.
El-Enany stated that UNESCO will strengthen national education planning and support building a more resilient education system in Lebanon, utilizing a USD 1 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education.
The Director-General toured significant heritage sites in Tripoli, including Khan Al-Askar, noting its potential as a hub for skills development and employment, particularly for youth and women artisans. He emphasized heritage's role in enhancing livelihoods, skills, and creative expression, with UNESCO prepared to link rehabilitation efforts to community benefits.
He also visited the Rachid Karami International Fair, a UNESCO World Heritage property known for its architectural value. El-Enany stressed the site's potential to foster creativity, dialogue, and a culture of peace among future generations. UNESCO allocated funds from the World Heritage Fund for urgent conservation work on the Water Tower and capacity building in Lebanon to protect its heritage assets.
In Tyre, recently added to the List of World Heritage in Danger, the Director-General toured important archaeological locations with national officials and experts. The visit stressed the urgent need to safeguard Tyre’s cultural heritage and begin recovery efforts. An initial contribution from UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund was announced to assist these efforts.