Mohammed Al-Kinani

JEDDAH: Yanbu Industrial City has been recognized by the UN’s top cultural body for its commitment to lifelong learning for its residents.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently announced Yanbu Industrial City’s admittance into its Global Network of Learning Cities.

Learning cities, according to UNESCO, “foster a culture of learning throughout life, enhance quality and excellence in learning, and effectively mobilize resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning, from basic to higher education.”

Yanbu Industrial City, one of the Kingdom’s largest industrial cities, is home to the largest port on the Red Sea and the fourth-largest crude oil refinery in the world.

Yanbu has become the Kingdom’s second city to be approved by UNESCO for its outstanding educational efforts.

In September 2020, Jubail Industrial City was recognized by the UN body for its commitment to lifelong learning for its residents, and for introducing policies that promote inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable development.

The CEO of the Royal Commission in Yanbu, Fahad bin Dhaifallah Al-Qurashi, commented on the latest recognition: “We believe that adopting and applying the concept of a learning city will enhance the city’s position and assist in the sustainable development as well as the economic, cultural and social prosperity.”

The Global Network of Learning Cities includes 294 cities from around the world that share inspiration, know-how and best practices with each other.

UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay said that more than half of the global population lives in urban areas. “Cities have the power to drive lifelong learning policies by implementing and supporting local initiatives and bringing a bottom-up change,” said Azoulay on UNESCO’s website.

Seventy-seven cities from 44 countries have joined UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities. Sixteen are in Africa, nine cities are in the Arab states, 13 are found in the rest of Asia and the Pacific, 26 of the cities are in Europe and North America, with the remaining 13 other cities found in Latin America and the Caribbean.