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UNESCO puts Iran environmental education on agenda
Speaking at the 8th National Conference and Specialized Exhibition on Environmental Education, Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO, Hassan Fartousi said the initiative reflects UNESCO’s vision of awareness-building and training for climate action, IRNA reported.
“It’s about knowledge, values and hands-on skills,” he told delegates at Payame Noor University. He called environmental education a “vital process” for addressing today’s ecological challenges.
UNESCO’s approach rests on four pillars, as Fartousi explained are raising public awareness, encouraging sensitivity to environmental issues, deepening understanding, and motivating action.
“UNESCO plays a key role,” he noted, through scientific programs like the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. These aim to improve the way people interact with the planet.
The commission also supports countries with data and guidelines to develop effective policies. According to Fartousi, UNESCO is actively promoting education as a main tool to tackle climate change and ensure water sustainability.
One of the agency’s newest pushes is the Greening Education Partnership (GEP). “It’s a worldwide alliance,” Fartousi said, calling on all countries to join.
The programs don’t just “raise awareness,” he said, they also help build “sustainable solutions” through international collaboration.
A one-day exhibition held on the sidelines of the event showcased 30 booths featuring local research projects. Organizers said the goal was to align scientific efforts with emerging technologies for sustainable development.
The conference, delayed from March due to air pollution closures in the capital, drew scientists and policymakers aiming to exchange ideas and drive innovation. It marks the eighth edition since 2012.