UNESCO elects Bahrain to chair Arab Group from January 2026

The Kingdom of Bahrain has been elected to chair the Arab Group at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the term from January to December 2026. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, currently taking place in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Essam Abdulaziz Al Jassim, Ambassador of Bahrain to the French Republic, said that the Kingdom’s assumption of the chairmanship, succeeding the United Arab Emirates, reflects Bahrain’s active and influential role in international organisations and the confidence its diplomacy enjoys regionally and globally.

He noted that the Kingdom will use its chairmanship to enhance communication with various parties and ensure effective coordination on unified Arab positions, serving the educational, cultural, and scientific interests of the Arab world.

The ambassador expressed appreciation to the UAE for its constructive efforts during its current chairmanship. He emphasised Bahrain’s commitment to continuing joint work to enhance the Arab Group’s presence within UNESCO.