**Headline:** Saudi UNESCO Center Marks Decade with Rebrand

**Intro:** Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education, Yousef Al-Benyan, celebrated the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality Education’s 10th anniversary in Jubail, unveiling its new identity and honoring cities in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The event highlighted Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on educational innovation and global collaboration.

**Factbox:**
– **Date:** October 22, 2024
– **Location:** Jubail Industrial City
– **Key Cities Honored:** Jubail, Yanbu, Madinah, Al-Ahsa, King Abdullah Economic City
– **Announcements:** Arab Network for Learning Cities launched; 2024–2028 partnership signed with UNESCO’s lifelong learning arm.

**Saudi Arabia Celebrates a Decade of UNESCO Educational Excellence and Launches New Initiatives to Empower Future Generations**
*Jubail, October 22, 2024* – Under the patronage of His Excellency Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan, the UNESCO Regional Center of Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) marked its 10th anniversary with a grand ceremony in Jubail Industrial City. The event celebrated the center’s transformative journey, unveiled its revitalized identity, and honored Saudi cities leading the charge in lifelong learning as part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

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### **A Legacy of Educational Leadership**
In his keynote speech, Minister Al-Benyan reflected on the center’s founding in 2014 under UNESCO’s mandate, emphasizing its role as a regional and global beacon for educational innovation. “This center was established to redefine excellence in education, driven by the unwavering support of Saudi leadership,” he stated. Over the past decade, the RCQE has pioneered initiatives to elevate teaching standards, integrate cutting-edge technologies, and align educational outcomes with the dynamic demands of Saudi Vision 2030.

The minister stressed the urgency of adapting education systems to cultivate “resilient, innovative generations capable of leading in a rapidly evolving world.” He highlighted the need for cross-border collaboration, sharing of best practices, and investment in quality education to address global challenges such as technological disruption and workforce transformation.

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### **Honoring Saudi Cities Championing Lifelong Learning**
A focal point of the ceremony was the recognition of five Saudi cities admitted to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities:
– **Jubail Industrial City** (Host of the event)
– **Yanbu Industrial City**
– **Madinah**
– **Al-Ahsa**
– **King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC)**

These cities were lauded for their commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable learning ecosystems that empower citizens of all ages. Their initiatives range from digital literacy programs to community-driven vocational training, aligning with UNESCO’s mission to make education accessible beyond traditional classrooms.

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### **New Strategic Partnerships and Platforms**
The event also marked the launch of two major initiatives:
1. **Arab Network for Learning Cities Platform**: A digital hub designed to track and share innovative community-led educational projects across the Arab region, promoting collaboration and scalability of successful models.
2. **2024–2028 Strategic Agreement with UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)**: This partnership outlines a five-year roadmap to strengthen capacity-building programs, research on lifelong learning policies, and the integration of artificial intelligence in education.

Minister Al-Benyan emphasized that these efforts will “bridge gaps between policy and practice,” ensuring Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of educational innovation.

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### **A Vision for Tomorrow**
As the ceremony concluded, the minister reiterated the RCQE’s alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals, particularly in human capital development. “Quality education is not a luxury—it is the foundation of national progress,” he affirmed. The center’s renewed identity symbolizes its evolution from a regional entity to a global thought leader, poised to drive transformative change in curricula, teacher training, and lifelong learning systems.

With its decade-long legacy and bold new partnerships, the UNESCO Regional Center of Quality and Excellence in Education stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to nurturing future-ready generations. As global challenges grow more complex, the Kingdom’s investment in education continues to light the path toward sustainable development and prosperity.

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*For media inquiries or further details about the UNESCO RCQE’s initiatives, visit [Official Portal Link] or contact the Ministry of Education’s media team.*

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**Tags**: UNESCO, Quality Education, Saudi Vision 2030, Lifelong Learning, Jubail, Innovation in Education
**Categories**: Education News, Saudi Arabia, Sustainable Development, Government Initiatives

**FAQs: UNESCO Regional Center’s 10th Anniversary & Initiatives**

1. **What was the significance of the UNESCO Regional Center’s 10th-anniversary event in Jubail?**
The event celebrated the center’s decade-long impact on educational excellence, launched its new identity, recognized UNESCO Learning Cities in Saudi Arabia, and announced regional partnerships to advance lifelong learning.

2. **Which Saudi cities were honored for their UNESCO Learning Cities membership?**
Jubail, Yanbu, Madinah, Al-Ahsa, and King Abdullah Economic City were recognized for fostering lifelong learning environments and contributing to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities’ goals.

3. **What is the Arab Network for Learning Cities platform?**
Launched during the event, this platform tracks community-led educational initiatives and shares best practices to promote lifelong learning across Arab regions, aligning with UNESCO’s objectives.

4. **What strategic agreement was signed at the ceremony?**
A 2024–2028 partnership between the UNESCO Regional Center and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) was announced to strengthen collaboration on educational innovation and policy development.

5. **How does the center align with Saudi Vision 2030?**
It supports Vision 2030 by enhancing education quality, fostering innovation, and preparing youth for future challenges through regional/international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

6. **What role does leadership support play in the center’s success?**
Minister Al-Benyan highlighted the Saudi leadership’s unwavering backing as crucial to establishing the center as a global model for educational excellence over the past decade.

7. **Why is lifelong learning emphasized in the center’s initiatives?**
Lifelong learning is vital for sustainable development, equipping individuals with adaptive skills for evolving economic and social landscapes, a key focus of the UNESCO network.

8. **What challenges does the center aim to address?**
It focuses on improving education systems to meet global changes, fostering innovation, and bridging gaps in educational quality through research, training, and policy advocacy.

9. **How does the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities function?**
The network connects cities worldwide to share strategies for inclusive education, promoting equity, sustainability, and community engagement in lifelong learning initiatives.

10. **What is the purpose of the center’s “new identity”?**
The rebranding reflects its evolved mission to drive educational transformation, expand partnerships, and integrate digital tools to enhance regional education quality and accessibility.

11. **What outcomes are expected from the UIL partnership?**
The collaboration aims to develop frameworks for lifelong learning, enhance educator training, and scale successful programs across Arab nations over the next four years.

12. **How does Jubail Industrial City contribute to educational innovation?**
As a UNESCO Learning City, Jubail models industrial-educational synergy, offering resources and infrastructure to support vocational training and STEM education aligned with economic needs.

13. **What future projects will the UNESCO Regional Center prioritize?**
Upcoming initiatives include expanding the Learning Cities network, digitizing educational resources, and fostering youth-centric programs to align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals.

14. **Why is regional cooperation critical for the center’s mission?**
Collaboration with Arab nations enables knowledge exchange, unified policy development, and resource sharing to address shared educational challenges and elevate regional standards.

15. **How does the center measure its impact on education quality?**
Through monitoring learning outcomes, evaluating community initiatives via the Arab Network platform, and tracking progress in member cities’ educational frameworks and inclusivity metrics.

**CTA (Llamado a la Acción):**
¿Quieres ser parte de la transformación educativa? **Visita el sitio web del Centro Regional UNESCO de Calidad y Excelencia Educativa** para conocer sus iniciativas, acceder a recursos de calidad y descubrir cómo puedes colaborar en la construcción de un futuro donde el aprendizaje continuo sea la base del progreso. ¡Únete a la conversación en redes sociales usando #Educación2030 y comparte tus ideas para un mundo más educado e innovador!

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**Conclusión:**
La celebración del décimo aniversario del Centro Regional UNESCO de Calidad y Excelencia en Educación no solo marcó un hito en su trayectoria, sino que también reforzó su papel como eje estratégico para la innovación educativa en la región. Con el lanzamiento de su nueva identidad, la expansión de la Red de Ciudades del Aprendizaje y alianzas clave como la establecida con el Instituto de la UNESCO para el Aprendizaje a lo Largo de Toda la Vida, el centro demuestra su compromiso con una educación inclusiva, dinámica y alineada con las demandas del siglo XXI. Estos esfuerzos, respaldados por el liderazgo visionario de Arabia Saudita, no solo impulsan el cumplimiento de los objetivos de la Visión 2030, sino que también inspiran a otras naciones a priorizar la excelencia educativa como motor de desarrollo sostenible.

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**Agradecimiento:**
El Ministerio de Educación y el Centro UNESCO extienden su más sincero agradecimiento a todos los asistentes, socios internacionales, ciudades miembros y equipos técnicos cuya dedicación ha hecho posible esta década de logros. Un reconocimiento especial a las ciudades de Jubail, Yanbu, Medina, Al-Ahsa y King Abdullah Economic City por su liderazgo en la promoción de entornos educativos innovadores. Finalmente, gracias a la UNESCO por su apoyo continuo y a los expertos globales que colaboran para convertir la educación en un puente hacia un futuro más equitativo y próspero. Juntos, seguiremos construyendo oportunidades para las generaciones presentes y futuras.

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*¿Te gustaría conocer más sobre los proyectos del centro?* **¡Descarga su informe anual 2024 aquí** y mantente informado sobre las próximas iniciativas!*