UNESCO Secretary of Iran: It is time for an Arab -Islamic cultural alliance policy

Al -Jazeera Net Correspondents

Tehran In light of the escalation of regional tensions and the increasing threat of conflicts affecting educational and cultural centers, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is highlighted as a pivotal international factor for protecting human heritage and enhancing the values of peace and understanding between peoples.

In an interview with Al -Jazeera Net, the Secretary -General of the National Committee of UNESCO in Iran, Hassan Fartousi, revealed, in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net.

It also touched on the potential impact of the repeated withdrawal of the United States from the organization, stressing that this constitutes a financial and administrative challenge, but it opens opportunities for developing and Islamic countries to enhance their existence and impact within UNESCO, and work to build strong alliances that preserve the role of the organization as a global platform for peace and culture.

Farasi also stressed the importance of cooperation between Iran and UNESCO in building bridges of dialogue and peace, especially in light of the tensions and conflicts in the region, stressing that UNESCO must remain an effective framework to enhance cultural, educational and scientific understanding between peoples, which helps to reduce conflicts and build a future of stability and peace in conflict areas.

Below is the text of the dialogue:

• In light of the Israeli aggression that Iran was subjected to two months ago, what role can UNESCO play in protecting educational and cultural centers during conflicts?

UNESCO, as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, plays an important role in preserving cultural heritage and archaeological buildings, and has multiple programs, including a program to protect freedom and safety of scientists. The organization has played this role as expected, not only by issuing important data, but also by reminding countries of their responsibilities towards protecting cultural and educational heritage, supporting education and science, especially in countries that are witnessing conflicts.

• Have the National Committee in Iran contacted UNESCO or other international organizations to discuss heritage violations and culture during the recent Israeli aggression?

Yes, the National Committee carried out its duty during the 12 -day Israeli aggression, as it issued and sent 13 messages to the Director General of UNESCO and its administration, not only by the committee itself, but also in coordination with various parties such as UNESCO chairs, centers of the second category, creative cities, and educated cities.

Messages were also sent from the Iranian Minister of Higher Education and the Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, through the permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UNESCO, and in cooperation with the National Committee. We have received support and communication from national committees in sisterly and neighboring countries, and another from the region and the world, which showed us global interest in protecting the safety of states and scholars.

• In another context, in your opinion, what is the impact of the United States with the withdrawal of UNESCO on the organization’s ability to implement its programs and protect the World Heritage?

This is not the first time that the United States withdrew from UNESCO, it did it three times: the first in 1984, the second in 2018, and the third in 2025. Among the most prominent reasons for the declared withdrawal are what Washington described as UNESCO’s bias to Palestine, in addition to other allegations such as the need for structural reform in the organization. The Director General Audrey Azoulay responded to these criticisms in an official statement.

In terms of programs, UNESCO is not damaged alone, as there are university chairs and creative and educated cities in the United States as well, and some cultural or archaeological heritage there need registration in UNESCO lists. On the financial level, the United States’ contribution was previously about 40% of the UNESCO budget, but after the withdrawal it decreased to about 8%. Despite the loss, this was a motivation to reform the administrative structure, develop human resources and enhance the effectiveness of programs.

What worries us is that other countries are affected by the withdrawal of Washington and decided to withdraw as well, but with my appreciation, the withdrawal of the United States may carry a symbolic significance that threatens UNESCO’s primary goal: strengthening global peace, especially in light of what Washington announced its differences with China, while the organization’s mission is to collect countries, especially through the cultural dimension, to achieve rapprochement and possibly political understanding.

• How does the Iranian National Committee compensate for the gaps that may be caused by the withdrawals of some influential countries from UNESCO?

The Islamic Republic of Iran, and the National Committee of UNESCO, believes that the withdrawal of some influential countries represents a valuable opportunity for developing countries, including Islamic and Arab countries and neighboring countries, to build strong alliances within the organization. If the declared reason for the American withdrawal is the bias of UNESCO to the Palestinian issue, then why do these countries not move to fill this void?

We are working to strengthen cooperation between UNESCO National Committees in these countries to ensure that the organization remains comprehensive and effective, with caution that the withdrawal will encourage other countries in the same step. We are optimistic that Dr. Khaled Al -Anani’s victory from Egypt, headed by UNESCO.

• In light of regional tensions, how can Iran and UNESCO cooperate to keep culture and education bridges for dialogue and peace between peoples?

When the parties are unable to solve their problems through dialogue, conflicts begin, and here comes our responsibility to build bridges of understanding rather than the accumulation of crises. Multilateral policies should be adopted, because pluralism is able to address many issues that dualism is unable to solve.

The withdrawal of the United States from UNESCO under the pretext of expanding China’s influence contradicts the goal of the presence of international organizations, which is to improve relations between countries. It is necessary for UNESCO to work with all its capabilities to create mutual understanding between peoples and countries, in a way that contributes to the development of culture, education, science and communications, and positively affects bilateral and multilateral relations even at the political and diplomatic levels.