The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) held, on  March 9, 2026, the 16th Special Session of its Executive Board.  

The meeting was held remotely, and was chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by H.E. Mr. Hani Bin Muqbil Al Muqbil, Chairperson of the Executive Board. It was attended by representatives of Member States, the Director of the Department of Arab Organizations and Federations, representing the General Secretariat of the Arab League, as well as the Directors of ALECSO’s technical departments and subsidiary institutions.

The Executive Board discussed and unanimously approved the financial items on the agenda, including:

• Draft budget and program for 2027–2028;
• Draft special expenditure budget of the Institute of Arab Research and Studies for 2027–2028;
• Draft budget of the Arab Center for Arabization, Translation, Authorship, and Publication for 2027–2028;
• Venues for activities scheduled for 2027–2028;
• Financial situation as of 31 October 2026;
• Status of Member States’ contributions to ALECSO budget

The opening session featured a speech by H.E. Mr. Hani bin Muqbil Al-Muqbil, Chairperson of the Executive Board, in which he condemned the aggressions against Arab countries, considering them as a clear violation of international law and a serious threat to the security and stability of the entire region.  

Mr. Al-Muqbil praised the efforts of all parties involved in preparing ALECSO’s draft budget and program for the 2027–2028 financial cycle. He expressed thanks and gratitude to the representatives of Arab States and to all members of the advisory, general, and special committees emanating from the Executive Board, for their contributions to the preparation of the draft budget and program. He extended thanks to the Director-General of ALECSO and to the directors of technical department and subsidiary institutions for their cooperation and responsiveness to the requirements of the coming phase, emphasizing the hopes placed on ALECSO to address challenges facing the future of joint Arab action in its fields of competence.

For his part, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, began his speech by condemning the violations suffered by Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Iraq). He affirmed the full solidarity of ALECSO and its subsidiary institutions with all Arab countries in the face of the Iranian aggressions. He called for the immediate cessation of these barbaric attacks, emphasizing the need for reason and wisdom to prevail. He also condemned the Israeli aggressions against the State of Palestine and Lebanon.

The Director-General expressed his gratitude to H.E. Mr. Hani bin Muqbil Al-Muqbil for the significant role he fulfills, as Chairperson of the Executive Board, in promoting cooperation and coordination with ALECSO. He extended thanks to the members of the Executive Board, to the Director of the Department of Arab Organizations and Federations representing the Arab League General Secretariat, and to all members of the advisory, general, and special committees, for their valuable contributions to the preparation of ALECSO’s draft budget and program for 2027–2028.

The Director-General concluded by stressing that good governance stands as a fundamental pillar enabling ALECSO to implement its programs effectively and realize its strategic objectives. The Organization, he added, has sought, over the past period, to adopt an integrated financial vision based on the principles of good governance and enhanced financial sustainability.

The session concluded with several decisions, including:

• Approval of the draft budget and program for the 2027–2028 financial cycle;
• Approval of the draft special expenditure budget of the Institute of Arab Research and Studies for 2027–2028;
• Approval of the draft budget of the Arab Center for Arabization, Translation, Authorship and Publication for 2027–2028;
• Requesting the General Directorship to circulate the activities included in ALECSO’s 2027–2028 budget to Member States to determine their requests, with proposals to be submitted to the 125th  ordinary session of the Executive Board and the 28th  ordinary session of the General Conference;
• Issuance of recommendations regarding ALECSO’s financial status and Member States’ contributions.