The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has granted membership to the Emirate of Fujairah in its Global Network of Learning Cities as part of its latest expansion. Fujairah now joins 72 cities from 46 countries, recognised for their commitment to making the right to education a reality for people of all ages at the local level.
With this update, the Global Network of Learning Cities, launched in 2013, now includes 425 cities across 91 countries, collectively supporting lifelong learning opportunities for nearly 500 million citizens worldwide.
UAE Leadership Highlights Commitment to Education
Commenting on Fujairah’s admission to UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, affirmed that this milestone reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing education, culture and human development. H.E. stated:
“The emirate’s inclusion in the network stands as a testament to its strategic vision in expanding lifelong learning opportunities and cultivating a sustainable knowledge-based economy. It also underscores the enduring dedication of the UAE’s wise leadership to empowering communities through education excellence, innovation, and sustainability.”
As part of this national effort, the Ministry of Culture supported Fujairah’s candidacy for GNLC membership through the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, ensuring strong alignment with UNESCO’s priorities and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a proactive contributor to global learning and cultural exchange.
Fujairah’s participation in the network is expected to enhance international cooperation, facilitate the exchange of global best practices and strengthen the UAE’s leadership in fostering cultural dialogue and shaping a future driven by knowledge and creativity.
Strategic Vision for Lifelong Learning
His Excellency Mohammed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Emiri Court, stated,
“Fujairah secured GNLC membership due to its strategic efforts in expanding educational infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and establishing community learning hubs. Our long-term objectives in education, guided by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, aim to strengthen Fujairah’s position in the educational sector and knowledge-based economy. This aligns with UAE Vision 2031 and the National Strategy for Education 2030. This recognition will further enhance current learning initiatives in Fujairah and contribute to the sustainable growth of the Emirate.”
UNESCO Perspective on Learning Cities
In a press release issued by UNESCO, H.E. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, noted that the 72 new UNESCO Learning Cities are redefining what it means to learn, turning every street, library, workplace, museum and home into a space for knowledge and innovation. By prioritising education from early childhood through adulthood, these cities are empowering individuals and unlocking opportunities for all.
Fujairah Learning City Project Vision
Fujairah’s Learning City Project envisions lifelong learning as a core pillar of sustainable development. In the medium term, spanning three to five years, the project aims to strengthen educational infrastructure, promote digital skills, foster community based learning, enhance local artistic talent and develop a localised Learning City Strategy.
Long-term goals over five to ten years include positioning Fujairah as a regional leader in lifelong learning, achieving educational equity, developing a skilled workforce, expanding international collaborations and implementing systems to measure the impact of learning initiatives. The vision is rooted in cultural identity, sustainability and innovation, creating a resilient society equipped for future challenges.
Community Driven Education Initiatives
Educational and cultural initiatives in Fujairah under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, play a significant role in supporting lifelong learning and a sustainable knowledge economy. These initiatives include Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Fujairah’s Young Techpreneurs and the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair.
The Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi serves as an inclusive platform for dialogue on culture, innovation and community priorities, fostering intergenerational and intercultural learning while enhancing civic engagement. The Fujairah Young Techpreneurs initiative, launched in 2025 in collaboration with Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University, equips children aged 7 to 15 with skills in programming, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The Fujairah Children’s Book Fair, launched in 2024, features workshops and storytelling sessions, including inclusive panels for children with diverse learning needs, promoting literacy, creativity and access to cultural education through partnerships with authors and publishers.
Sustainability, Inclusion and Employment Pathways
Fujairah also promotes sustainability and wellbeing through initiatives such as the Wadi Wurayah Protected Area Education Programme, which engages students in biodiversity and conservation, and the Together We Move campaign offering free fitness classes and wellness workshops in public parks.
Equity and inclusion are advanced through programmes such as the Year of Tolerance in schools, vocational training for individuals with disabilities and low income families, and educational support for migrant workers, senior citizens and rural communities via community centres and digital platforms.
To strengthen links between education and employment, Fujairah Chamber of Commerce operates a Business Incubation Programme focused on essential skills training. The Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Leadership Programme enhances public sector capabilities, while entrepreneurship clubs in schools encourage youth business planning aligned with local labour market needs. Gender equality in lifelong learning is promoted through initiatives led by the Fujairah Businesswomen Council and the Fujairah Research Center.
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Further Reading:
- UAE Ministry of Education Announces Five Rules for Make-Up Examinations for Grades 3 to 12
- Ministry of Education Approves First Term Final Exam Schedule for UAE Schools