The UNESCO headquarters in Paris recently welcomed a high-level delegation from the Africa-Arab Cultural Institute, led by Ambassador Mohamed Ben Youssef, Director General of the Institute, as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening strategic cultural and educational partnerships.
On Thursday, 21 May 2026, the delegation held a series of important meetings with senior UNESCO officials, including Ambassador Mohamed El Farnawani, Director of the Priority Africa and External Relations Sector; Ms. Khadija Zemouri, Director of Conferences, Languages and Documents within the Administration and Management Sector; and Mr. Mohamed Gomaa Mohamed, Head of the Africa Unit at the World Heritage Centre’s Culture Sector.
The discussions underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to deepening cooperation across a range of cultural, educational, and capacity-building initiatives. Particular attention was given to collaborative projects involving the preservation and translation of historical manuscripts, the publication of Arab and African cultural works, and the expansion of Arabic language education throughout African countries.
The meetings also explored specialized training programs focused on the use of Arabic script in writing African languages, alongside broader initiatives dedicated to strengthening human capital and educational development across the continent.
During the exchanges, Ambassador Mohamed Ben Youssef emphasized the importance of integrating the Africa-Arab Cultural Institute into UNESCO’s Operational Strategy for Priority Africa (2022–2029), highlighting the Institute’s potential contribution to advancing Africa-focused cultural and educational programs.
As part of the visit to Paris, the delegation also met with Professor Chawki Abdelamir, Director General of the Arab World Institute, at the Institute’s headquarters. The meeting focused on exploring new avenues of cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in promoting and supporting the Arabic language across African countries through joint educational and cultural initiatives.
The visit reflects the Africa-Arab Cultural Institute’s growing commitment to building international partnerships that foster intercultural dialogue, preserve shared heritage, and promote sustainable educational development throughout Africa and the Arab world.
Visit of a High-level delegation of the AACI to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris
