Following a welcome by the Director of the Office, Ms. Flavia Schlegel shared latest developments and achievements of the UNESCO Science Sector, including recently released flagship reports. Following the introduction, colleagues from the Doha Office discussed areas of priority of the UNESCO Doha Office and shared lessons learnt. Ms. Schlegel expressed her sincere congratulations to the office for its achievements.

During her visit to the State of Qatar, Ms. Flavia Schlegel met with a number of high level dignitaries, including H.E. Mr Ahmed Al Sadah, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs and H.E. Dr. Hamda Al-Sulaiti, Secretary General of the Qatar National Commission to UNESCO.

Ms. Flavia Schlegel continued her visit to the United Arab Emirates, where she met, accompanied by the UNESCO Doha Office Director, the UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Frode Mauring and discussed the UNESCO support towards the Sustainable Development Goals implementation in the fields of Science, Technology and Innovation and Research & Development in the UAE.

The ADG further met with representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, as well as H.E. Ms. Amal Mohammed Al- Koos, Secretary General of the UAE National Commission to UNESCO. The ADG further paid a visit to MASDAR City and Institute where she met with Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Eltayeb, Specialist in Environmental Studies & Research from Dubai Municipality.

In Dubai she visited the historic area of Bastakiya, Khor Dubai and discussed ways of cooperation with the person in charge of the management of the site from Dubai Municipality.

The ADG concluded her visit in the Sultanate of Oman, where she met with H.E. Mohammed Salim Al Tobi, Minister for Environment and Climate Affairs, representatives from the Ministry of Education, H.E. Dr. Hilal Ali Zaher Al Hinai, Secretary General of the Research Council, as well as Mr. Mohammed bin Saleem Al-Yaqubi, Secretary General of the Oman National Commission to UNESCO.

She further visited the Oman National Multi Hazard Early Warning System, which was recently established with support of UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), as well as the Fisheries Department, the National Museum, the Oman Botanic Garden, and the Falaj Irrigation Systems in Rustaq.