HM King Hamad Hosts UNESCO Delegation for 20th Anniversary of Education Technology Award in Bahrain

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, warmly received today at Al-Safriya Palace a distinguished delegation of international education leaders, including Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO; Dr. Madiha Al-Shaibani, Minister of Education of Oman; Sara Al-Amiri, Minister of Education of the UAE; Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, Minister of Education of Kuwait; Dr. Abdul Mohsen Al-Mohsen, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation of Saudi Arabia; and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Nuaimi, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education of Qatar.

The delegation visited Bahrain to participate in the ceremony marking the presentation of the UNESCO – King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Award for the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Education 2025, hosted by the Kingdom in celebration of the award’s 20th anniversary.

During the meeting, the ministers conveyed warm greetings from their counterparts across the Gulf Cooperation Council and extended their best wishes for Bahrain’s continued progress and prosperity, expressing gratitude for the King’s generous hospitality. In response, His Majesty conveyed his sincere regards to the leaders and peoples of the brotherly nations, wishing them further development and success.

At the start of the meeting, King Hamad welcomed the guests and expressed appreciation for their participation in the award ceremony. His Majesty highlighted the award’s significance over the past two decades, noting its remarkable achievements and its role in fostering close cooperation with UNESCO. The award has earned global recognition for supporting innovative educational projects and pioneering initiatives that utilize technology effectively, thereby enhancing learning opportunities for all.

“Bahrain takes pride in the fact that this award has attracted the attention of hundreds of scholars and researchers competing with high-level projects,” the King emphasized. He also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the award, expanding collaboration with UNESCO, and leveraging digital educational research to provide inclusive learning opportunities. His Majesty praised the work of international jury committees and acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s continuous efforts to sustain and maximize the award’s impact on educational development in the Kingdom.

King Hamad also celebrated Bahrain’s recent global achievement, with the Ministry of Education securing first place worldwide in Microsoft’s 2025 Schools of the Future program—a recognition reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to integrating advanced technology into education and cementing its international standing in digital learning.

The King commended UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay for her leadership in advancing the organization’s humanitarian and educational goals and congratulated the 2025 award winners at the University of Bahrain, praising the high quality of their research.

Highlighting the strong collaboration between Bahrain and UNESCO, His Majesty stressed their joint commitment to education, cultural heritage preservation, and fostering intercultural dialogue. He reiterated Bahrain’s support for UNESCO’s initiatives, rooted in the Kingdom’s long-standing tradition of coexistence, cultural openness, and values of justice and tolerance.

In response, Director-General Azoulay expressed deep gratitude for Bahrain’s continued support of UNESCO programs and initiatives. She commended the UNESCO – King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Award for its alignment with UNESCO’s mission of promoting education for all and praised Bahrain’s cultural and intellectual leadership, its rich historical heritage, and its commitment to intercultural dialogue.