Uganda Reaffirms Commitment to Education, Innovation, and Global Cooperation at UNESCO Conference
H E Doreen Ruth Amule Delivering her speech at Samarkand, Uzbekistan | November 4, 2025
Samarkand, Uzbekistan | November 4, 2025 — Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing education, innovation, and international cooperation during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
H.E. Doreen Ruth Amule, Uganda’s Head of Delegation and Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) – Paris Chapter, delivered two key statements — one on behalf of Uganda and another representing NAM member states — highlighting Uganda’s leadership in promoting sustainable development and global solidarity.
Ambassador Amule commended UNESCO’s outgoing Director-General for her eight-year tenure and congratulated Uzbekistan for successfully hosting the global event. She reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to UNESCO’s mission, noting that the country is prioritizing areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, including poverty eradication, quality education, healthcare, digital transformation, and climate resilience.
She highlighted major reforms in Uganda’s education sector, particularly the adoption of a competence-based curriculum in secondary schools designed to enhance skills for future employment. She urged UNESCO’s technical support to strengthen university curricula and accelerate digital transformation in education, including the creation of a national digital learning repository.
Ambassador Amule underscored Uganda’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that the country currently hosts 1.8 million refugees and has awarded UNESCO Qualifications Passports to 49 refugees to expand access to higher education. With 73% of Uganda’s population under 30, she said government programs and UNESCO-supported initiatives, such as the China-Funds-in-Trust (CFIT) project, are empowering youth through entrepreneurship and innovation.
She also highlighted Uganda’s growing creative and cultural industries, particularly the International Fund for Cultural Diversity Project (IFCDP), which has strengthened regional collaboration among filmmakers in Eastern Africa. Uganda continues to work with UNESCO on the Mt. Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, and the restoration of the Kasubi Tombs with support from Japan and Norway.
As Chair of NAM, Amule reiterated the Movement’s commitment to peace, sovereignty, and multilateral cooperation, calling for a Two-State Solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and encouraging UNESCO to sustain support for developing nations and small island states.
She concluded by reaffirming Uganda’s candidacy for the UNESCO Executive Board, expressing gratitude for the recent upgrade of the UNESCO Uganda Office to an Antenna Office, and pledging Uganda’s continued contribution to UNESCO’s global vision of education, culture, and peace.
