His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Thursday met with Khaled El Enany, director general-elect of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

During the meeting, held in Paris, the Crown Prince congratulated Enany on his selection by the UN culture agency’s Executive Board as its next director general, wishing him success.

His Royal Highness affirmed Jordan’s readiness to continue cooperation with UNESCO in the fields of science and conservation of cultural and human heritage, praising the culture agency’s support for the Kingdom in the areas of tangible and intangible heritage, education, and youth empowerment. 

Speaking about Jerusalem, the Crown Prince emphasised the importance of UNESCO’s role in preserving the status quo in the Old City and its walls, which are listed, at Jordan’s request, on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.

His Royal Highness highlighted the need to implement UNESCO resolutions that urge the protection of the authentic Arab Muslim and Christian identity of Jerusalem and its holy sites, particularly in these times of unprecedented violations against the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem.

The Crown Prince reiterated Jordan’s staunch commitment to maintaining its historic and religious role, under the Hashemite Custodianship, of safeguarding Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, affirming that Jordan will continue its intensive diplomatic efforts in coordination with the State of Palestine, and the Arab and Muslim committees within UNESCO.

His Royal Highness also noted Jordan’s commitment to preserving Jordanian sites on the World Heritage List, highlighting the recent addition of the Ajloun and Yarmouk nature reserves to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

The meeting also touched on the progress of Jordan’s bid to inscribe the Aqaba Marine Reserve on the World Heritage List, as well as the Kingdom’s efforts to develop vocational and technical education.