Doha and Yanbu Industrial City were among the ten cities awarded for their outstanding achievements in promoting lifelong learning  

Jubail, Dec 3, 2024: Two Gulf cities were among the ten recipients of the UNESCO Learning City Award 2024. Doha (Qatar) and Yanbu Industrial City (Saudi Arabia) were recognised along with eight other global cities for their outstanding achievements in promoting lifelong learning at the awards presented on Monday during the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. 

Representing both large metropolises and smaller urban areas, the recognised cities have demonstrated how implementing concrete action on the ground can empower citizens of all ages by providing learning opportunities. The prize-winning cities were selected by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), based on recommendations from an independent jury of international experts.  

“Cities are home to more than half of the world’s population and must be at the forefront of societal change. The 2024 UNESCO Learning City Awardees demonstrate the power of lifelong learning to enable citizens to adapt, innovate and collaborate on solutions to our planet’s most pressing challenges. Their commitment to inclusivity and to sustainable development offers a path to a more just and prosperous future for all,” said Isabell Kempf, Director of UNESCO’s UIL. 

The other eight UNESCO Learning City awardees are Benguerir (Morocco), Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire), Cork (Ireland), Cuenca (Ecuador), Eunpyeong-gu (Republic of Korea), Glasgow the UK), Querétaro (Mexico) and Wuhan (China).