Press release
UNESCO Learning City of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to host the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities
‘2023 was the hottest year on record. The climate crisis is hitting communities worldwide, manifesting in relentless challenges — from heatwaves and droughts to floods and the loss of biodiversity. Our planet is in trouble, and safeguarding it requires a collective change to our way of life. Education and learning are the catalysts for change. UNESCO learning cities are uniquely positioned to instill climate consciousness and equip local residents with the green skills essential for a sustainable society. The sixth International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail will pave the way for impactful climate action,’ explained Isabell Kempf, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.
With the application to host the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities, Jubail Industrial City underlined the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The UNESCO Learning City pointed to national programmes launched as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, such as the Human Capability Development Programme, aimed at building a national strategy for the development of citizens’ capabilities. Adopting a lifelong learning perspective and involving the participation of government agencies, the private sector and the non-profit sector, this strategy stretches from early childhood through to general education, university education, technical and vocational training, and continuous training.
The title of the conference, ‘Learning Cities at the Forefront of Climate Action’, comes in line with ongoing international engagements in fostering climate action for the global good – with the UN Climate Change Conference 2024 due to take place just before ICLC6 - as well as regional efforts such as the Green Middle East Initiative.
Cities: Key contributors to CO2 emissions yet catalysts for climate action
Currently responsible for around 75% of global CO2 emissions, cities – and in particular the transport systems and office buildings – play a pivotal role in the world’s response to the climate crisis. In addition to being central to the transformation to inclusive and green economies, cities are also at the forefront of efforts to empower local communities with the knowledge and skills that are needed to break long-established patterns of unsustainable consumption, production and mobility.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities: Advancing climate action through lifelong learning
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities with its 356 members has a proven track record in promoting climate action through lifelong learning. Its Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Cluster in particular works to develop lifelong learning strategies related to climate change.
During the ICLC 6, participants – including policy-makers, learning city mayors, lifelong learning and sustainability experts, private-sector representatives, non-governmental organizations, civil society, researchers, educators and United Nations entities – will work together to identify and strengthen lifelong learning policies for climate action, resilience and the establishment of sustainable cities.
Conference structure
Four key themes will be used to guide discussions during the conference:
- Empowering people to become change agents;
- Fostering knowledge and skills to build green and climate-resilient cities;
- Developing strategies for multi-stakeholder coordinated action;
- Strengthening education institutions and learning environments.
Participation
Participation in the ICLC 6 is by invitation only. Registration will open in the coming months through the UIL website.
For enquiries related to the conference, or to register your interest in attending the event, please contact the UNESCO GNLC Coordination Team, at learningcities@unesco.org.
The event will be accessible to all interested stakeholders through a livestream.
About UNESCO learning cities
Connecting education, training and cultural institutions and engaging a wide range of partners such as public-sector representatives, civil society organizations and employers is a key feature of UNESCO learning cities. They effectively mobilize resources in every sector to promote inclusive and quality learning, from basic to higher education. They revitalize learning in families and communities and facilitate learning for and in the workplace while extending the use of modern learning technologies.
The Global Network of Learning Cities’ activities on the promotion of climate action are a contribution to UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership and an instrument for the implementation of the Marrakech Framework for Action, describing lifelong learning as a key lever for equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to address the climate crisis and to empower them to become role models for change.
Further information
