Manama: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received Audrey Azoulay, the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), along with education ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The dignitaries included Madeeha bint Ahmed bin Nasser al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education of Oman; Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of Education of the United Arab Emirates; Sayed Jalal Al Tabtabaei, Minister of Education of Kuwait; Dr. Abdulmohsen bin Saleh Al Mohsen, Assistant Deputy Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia; and Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh bin Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the officials conveyed their greetings to His Majesty on the occasion of their visit to Bahrain to attend the 2025 edition of the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICT in Education. This visit marks the 20th anniversary of the prize, which celebrates excellence in integrating technology in education. The ministers extended greetings from their respective leaders and expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by His Majesty.
His Majesty King Hamad reciprocated by sending his greetings and best wishes to the leaders of the GCC states. He expressed gratitude for their participation in the UNESCO prize ceremony and underscored the award's importance and the achievements it has inspired over the past two decades. The King emphasized Bahrain's collaboration with UNESCO and its commitment to supporting innovative educational initiatives that incorporate technology.
The King also instructed continued support for the award and encouraged collaboration with UNESCO to expand digital educational experiences. His Majesty recognized the role of international judging panels and the Ministry of Education's efforts to sustain the prize's impact on advancing education in Bahrain.
During the reception, King Hamad celebrated Bahrain's achievement in securing first place internationally in the 2025 Microsoft Showcase School Program, reflecting the Kingdom's dedication to integrating advanced technologies in education.
His Majesty also expressed appreciation for UNESCO's leadership under Director General Audrey Azoulay and congratulated the winners of the UNESCO prize at a ceremony held at the University of Bahrain. The King highlighted the significance of the award in recognizing outstanding research and innovation in educational technology.
King Hamad reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to collaborating with UNESCO in educational, cultural, and heritage sectors and supporting intercultural dialogue. The Director General of UNESCO acknowledged Bahrain's support for UNESCO's programs and the Kingdom's cultural and intellectual contributions to global education and dialogue.