Paris: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz has concluded a visit to France, leading a delegation of AGFUND and Arab Open University leaders to expand international partnerships and develop collaborative models integrating education, culture, development finance, and impact investment.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the visit culminated in meetings with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Dr. Khaled El-Enany and Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al-Hinzab. A roundtable discussion was also held with the participation of several permanent delegates of UNESCO member states.
The meetings addressed ways to revitalize the historic partnership between AGFUND and UNESCO and usher in a new phase centered on designing actionable, measurable, and sustainable initiatives. Priorities included open education, equitable access to knowledge, artificial intelligence and digital inclusion, water resources, women's empowerment, and support for communities affected by conflicts and crises.
The visit featured an intensive schedule of meetings with French and international institutions. It began with a visit to the Arab World Institute in Paris, where Prince Abdulaziz met with Institute President Anne-Claire Legendre. Discussions focused on forging a partnership integrating culture, education, and development, creating joint programs with the Arab Open University, and leveraging the university's presence across various Arab countries to disseminate cultural and educational programs and broaden cross-cultural dialogue.
The visit underscored AGFUND's commitment to building partnerships that go beyond financing by bringing together knowledge, expertise, and institutional and financial capabilities to transform development needs into scalable and sustainable models. This approach strengthens the role of Gulf states as active partners in shaping international development solutions.