Statement On the Occasion of the International Day of Education 2026 - UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen

Today, as we mark the International Day of Education 2026, we celebrate a principle that lies at the heart of UNESCO’s mission: education is a fundamental human right, a public good, and a shared responsibility. This year’s theme, 'The power of youth in co‑creating education,' reminds us that young people are not only recipients of education systems—they are partners, innovators, and essential actors in shaping their future.

Across the Gulf States and Yemen, youth represent an extraordinary source of creativity, resilience, and determination. With more than half of the global population now under the age of 30, their leadership is pivotal in driving progress toward peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. Yet too many young people continue to face challenges—poverty, inequality, and limited access to quality learning opportunities—that prevent them from fully exercising their potential. UNESCO reiterates that empowering youth must go beyond consultation; it requires ensuring their meaningful engagement throughout the entire policymaking and implementation cycle.

This year, UNESCO will release a new global measurement that tracks youth participation in educational legislation and policymaking. Developed by the Global Education Report team in partnership with the UN Youth Office, this initiative reflects our collective commitment to holding systems accountable for the pledges made during the Transforming Education Summit and in the Pact for the Future. It provides governments with concrete evidence to strengthen mechanisms that amplify youth voices at national, regional, and global levels.

The Gulf States and Yemen are experiencing rapid technological, social, and economic transformation. These shifts present new opportunities to rethink how education systems prepare young people for futures marked by innovation, sustainability, and digital fluency. UNESCO calls for investing in learning environments that nurture critical thinking, civic engagement, and problem‑solving—skills essential for navigating a world being reshaped by technological revolutions. Today’s global challenges require re‑imagined education systems co‑designed with young people, not for them.

We also recognize and commend the leadership of young people across this region who are already co‑creating solutions—supporting peers in crisis‑affected contexts, contributing to community learning initiatives, driving digital innovation, and championing sustainability. Their stories reaffirm a simple truth: when youth are meaningfully engaged, education becomes more inclusive, relevant, and future‑ready.

On this International Day of Education, I encourage educators, civil society organisations, and all partners to join UNESCO in placing youth at the center of educational transformation. Let us commit to systems that listen to young people, invest in their participation, and champion their leadership. Empowering youth is not only a pathway to stronger education systems—it is an investment in peace, prosperity, and humanity’s shared future.