International Desk: UNESCO Director-General Khaled Al-Anani began his first official visit to China after assuming office on May 11. Reflecting on more than five decades of cooperation between China and UNESCO, as well as China’s growing contribution to global civilizational exchange, Al-Anani shared his views in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG).

In the interview, the UNESCO chief stated that the primary objective of his visit is to further deepen the strong partnership between UNESCO and China. According to him, China is one of UNESCO’s most important strategic partners, and bilateral cooperation has now expanded beyond the two sides to support the broader development of Global South countries.

He noted that joint initiatives with China are actively underway across all major UNESCO sectors, including education, science, culture, communication, and information technology.

Since assuming office in November 2025, Al-Anani said he has maintained close communication with China’s delegation to UNESCO. He also expressed great pleasure in attending the opening ceremony and plenary session of the World Digital Education Conference held in Hangzhou during his visit.

Describing digital transformation and artificial intelligence as unavoidable trends of the modern era, Al-Anani stressed that technology must always serve humanity.

“Technology should be used for the well-being of people. The development of artificial intelligence must follow ethical principles and reflect values of equality and inclusiveness within society,” he said.

On May 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed the UNESCO Director-General in Beijing. During the meeting, President Xi reaffirmed China’s strong support for dialogue and exchanges among civilizations.

Al-Anani revealed that the central focus of his discussion with President Xi was “the people.” Both sides, he said, are committed to spreading the message of peace among ordinary people around the world and creating an environment for meaningful dialogue between different civilizations.

He emphasized that listening to one another and engaging in dialogue are essential prerequisites for mutual learning, understanding, and tolerance — values that lie at the very heart of UNESCO’s mission.

President Xi and Al-Anani also held in-depth discussions on supporting Global South nations, narrowing gaps between peoples and cultures, and upholding the principles of multilateralism. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation in several areas, particularly in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Referring to the current geopolitical climate, the UNESCO chief said the world today is facing deep divisions, conflicts, natural disasters, and widening technological inequality — challenges that, he noted, resemble the circumstances surrounding UNESCO’s founding nearly 80 years ago.

“Today, more than ever, we need to listen to one another and work together collectively,” he remarked.

Al-Anani also recalled President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to UNESCO headquarters in 2014, during which the Chinese leader emphasized the importance of exchanges among civilizations in promoting world peace. According to him, that vision closely aligns with several of China’s global initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative.

He further observed that China is no longer merely a nation-state in the traditional sense, but has emerged as a powerful voice and symbol of strength for the Global South.

During his visit, the UNESCO Director-General placed special emphasis on education, science and technology, and artificial intelligence. He praised China’s remarkable achievements in digital education and AI applications in recent years, saying the world has much to learn from China’s experience.

China’s National Smart Education Platform, he noted, has already helped millions of young people gain access to education worldwide. He added that artificial intelligence has the potential to positively transform education systems, expand educational opportunities, and create more personalized learning experiences for younger generations.

Source: Xueyi, Touhid & Jiniya, China Media Group (CMG).