NEWS




9October

MBHTE Minister Mohagber Iqbal Appointed to UNESCO Education Committee

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed several officials, including Mohagber Iqbal, the Bangsamoro Education Minister, to represent the Philippines on various committees of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission, according to a Facebook post by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on October 5, 2024.
Iqbal joins Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Jose Francisco Benitez, and Commission on Higher Education Chairman J. Prospero de Vera III in this role.

As the Minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education for the Bangsamoro Government, Iqbal is familiar with the educational challenges in the autonomous region. He has been instrumental in developing policies that address the diverse needs of BARMM communities, focusing on inclusivity and cultural relevance.

The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, established in 1951 through Republic Act 621 and amended by Republic Acts 892 and 3849, is connected to the Department of Foreign Affairs. It aims to uphold the Philippines' commitments to UNESCO, promoting global collaboration in education, science, culture, communication, and information.

The Philippines has made several contributions to UNESCO, including participation in programs aimed at preserving and promoting indigenous languages and cultures, aligning with UNESCO’s mission to foster cultural diversity. 

The country has also engaged in various educational initiatives, such as the Education for Sustainable Development program, which promotes quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.