Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing on 13 May 2026, establishing joint cooperation until 2029 in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital education, cultural heritage protection, and intercultural dialogue. The agreement also supports the Global Development Initiative and other projects led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In addition to the memorandum, UNESCO and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO signed a new US$2 million agreement aimed at capacity-building for implementing the World Heritage Convention in Africa and the Asia-Pacific. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation in protecting cultural and natural heritage.
During the visit, Khaled El-Enany met with President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials to discuss collaboration aligned with UNESCO’s mandate. Both parties agreed to reinstate a strategic dialogue to guide future cooperation and provide strategic direction for joint initiatives.
This partnership emphasizes practical cooperation in areas such as STEM and teacher education, vocational and higher education, artificial intelligence, basic research, open science, global science and technology governance, and the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development. It also highlights joint efforts on World Heritage, intangible cultural heritage, media and information literacy, and programs fostering cultural diversity and intercultural exchange.