International Day of Education 2026: Arab Bureau of Education and Youth Empowerment
Every year on January 24th, the world celebrates the International Day of Education . This year, 2026, the theme reflects future aspirations: "Youth's Power to Shape Education." This celebration underscores the pivotal role of education in achieving peace and sustainable development for all peoples.
A Gulf vision for empowering youth
In this context, the Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Muqbil, stated that this occasion represents a clear global call to reposition youth at the heart of the educational process. He emphasized that young people are no longer merely recipients of knowledge, but have become active and essential partners in developing the education system and shaping its future, in line with the rapid changes the world is witnessing.
Dr. Al-Muqbil explained that this year’s slogan reflects a growing international awareness of the importance of empowering young people to contribute directly to the design of educational policies, the development of curricula, and the creation of modern learning methods based on technology and artificial intelligence, which enhances their leadership and creative skills.
Historical background and international significance
This celebration stems from a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2018, which designated January 24 as the International Day of Education, recognizing the role of education in achieving peace and development. UNESCO considers education a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility, as it is a fundamental pillar for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Supporting leadership and integrating Gulf efforts
The Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education affirmed that this trend towards empowering youth enjoys the generous support and patronage of Their Majesties, Highnesses, and Excellencies, the leaders of the member states of the Bureau of Education, who give education the highest priority in national development plans and the ambitious future visions of the Gulf States.
He noted that the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States is working diligently, in close cooperation with the ministries of education in member states, as well as regional and international partners, to implement a range of high-quality programs. These programs aim to prepare a generation of conscious young people who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to compete globally and contribute effectively to building knowledge societies and innovation-based economies.
This year’s celebration is of particular importance in light of the major digital transformations, as the office seeks to promote the concepts of global citizenship and digital education, to ensure that education is an effective tool for the advancement of Gulf and Arab societies.
