• The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science will play a prominent role in ensuring successful collaboration between the two entities.

His Excellency Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chairperson of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, lauded the partnership between the Emirates Literature Foundation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He stated that the partnership aims to reshape the literary scene in the region and has the potential to create more cultural exchange opportunities.

His Excellency emphasised the importance of cooperation in promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding different perspectives in the global literary community. He said the partnership will lead to preserving the cultural diversity of the UAE and the region by launching quality initiatives in literature and the arts. The goal is to establish the importance of literature as an effective tool for learning, enlightenment, and literacy. Additionally, the partnership will focus on strengthening the soft power of the nation and its knowledge economy.

His Excellency added: “The National Commission plays a pivotal role in strengthening partnerships between international organisations such as UNESCO and government agencies. Following this newly forged partnership, the National Commission will help in connecting the Emirates Literature Foundation with a wide range of organisations, institutions, and individuals worldwide. This, in turn, will result in creating more opportunities and tackling challenges while also achieving positive outcomes for the literary and cultural sector of the UAE.”

UNESCO relies on partnership programmes to integrate partners from various sectors in the Member States to achieve its goals and aspirations across diverse fields of work. These programmes are aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

The Emirates Literature Foundation announced its partnership with UNESCO during a press conference hosted by the Foundation to announce the activities of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2024