BEIRUT – UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting Lebanon during his first official visit to the country, where he discussed recovery priorities in education, culture, heritage and media with President Joseph Aoun and a number of Lebanese officials.
The visit also saw the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Lebanese government to strengthen cooperation between the two sides through 2029.
Education Support
UNESCO announced a $1 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education, bringing its total support for emergency education and recovery efforts in Lebanon to $1.8 million. The Organization also noted that it has trained more than 4,000 teachers since 2023, with its education programs reaching more than 10,000 students.
Protecting Lebanon’s Heritage
During his visit to the archaeological site of Tyre, El-Enany announced $100,000 in funding from the Heritage Emergency Fund to assess damage, protect archaeological remains and mosaics, and train Lebanese heritage professionals.
UNESCO also reaffirmed its support for the preservation of the Rachid Karami International Fair in Tripoli, including $76,000 in funding to restore the Water Tower.
Supporting Media and Freedom of Expression
In the media sector, El-Enany welcomed the launch of the National Campaign against Hate Speech and announced a new contribution to the Libraries for Resilience initiative, which has so far mobilized $650,000 to expand access to reliable information and strengthen public library services.
He also welcomed the adoption of a new Media Law by the Lebanese Parliament, reaffirming UNESCO’s readiness to support its implementation in a way that safeguards freedom of expression, media independence and the safety of journalists.
At the conclusion of the visit, UNESCO called for increased international support for its Action Plan for Lebanon 2026–2028, which aims to support emergency response, sustainable recovery and long-term development.
