UNESCO Fujairah Learning City membership has been confirmed as the Emirate of Fujairah joined the United Nations agency’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s education and human development agenda. Fujairah now stands among 72 newly selected cities from 46 countries recognised for advancing lifelong learning at the local level.
With this expansion, the GNLC includes 425 cities across 91 countries, collectively supporting opportunities for nearly 500 million people since its establishment in 2013.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, said the designation reflects the country’s continued investment in human capital and cultural progress. He 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.”
He added that the Ministry of Culture supported Fujairah’s candidacy through the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science to ensure alignment with UNESCO’s priorities.
Fujairah Strengthens Role in Global Education Cooperation
Mohammed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Emiri Court, said the emirate earned GNLC membership due to its expanding educational infrastructure, digital literacy initiatives, and community learning hubs. “Our long-term objectives in education, guided by H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, aim to strengthen Fujairah’s position in the educational sector and knowledge-based economy,” he said.
He added that GNLC recognition supports the UAE Vision 2031 and the National Strategy for Education 2030, and will reinforce sustainable development in the emirate.
In a statement, Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, said the 72 new Learning Cities are “redefining what it means to learn”, highlighting that streets, workplaces, museums, and homes are being transformed into spaces for innovation and lifelong education.
Fujairah’s Learning City Project Outlines Medium and Long-Term Targets
Fujairah has set out a multi-year framework to deepen its lifelong learning ecosystem:
Medium-term goals (3 to 5 years):
• Strengthen educational infrastructure
• Promote digital skills
• Expand community-based learning
• Develop local artistic and cultural programming
• Establish a Fujairah Learning City Strategy
Long-term goals (5 to 10 years):
• Position Fujairah as a regional leader in lifelong learning
• Build an equitable education landscape
• Develop a skilled workforce
• Expand international partnerships
• Implement systems to track the impact of learning initiatives
The strategy is anchored in cultural identity, sustainability, and innovation.
Local Programmes Advancing Lifelong Learning
Several initiatives under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, contributed to the emirate’s qualification:
• Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, a platform for cultural dialogue and policy engagement.
• Fujairah’s Young Techpreneurs, launched in 2025 with Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University, equipping children aged 7 to 15 with skills in AI, programming, and cybersecurity.
• Fujairah Children’s Book Fair, launched in 2024, focused on literacy, storytelling, and inclusion.
Complementing these are sustainability and public health initiatives, such as the Wadi Wurayah Protected Area Education Programme and the Together We Move campaign, which offer free fitness and wellness activities.
Equity-focused efforts include the Year of Tolerance in Schools, vocational training for individuals with disabilities and low-income families, support programmes for migrant workers and seniors, and digital access for rural residents.
Linking Education To Employment And Economic Growth
To align learning outcomes with labour market needs, Fujairah’s Chamber of Commerce operates a Business Incubation Programme with skills training. At the same time, the Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Leadership Programme develops public-sector capabilities. Entrepreneurial clubs in schools promote youth business literacy.
Gender inclusion efforts are supported by the Fujairah Businesswomen Council and the Fujairah Research Center, which expand access to educational and professional development opportunities for women.
Fujairah’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities reinforces the UAE’s growing influence in shaping international education dialogue. It strengthens its position as a regional model for community-driven lifelong learning.
–Input WAM
