Muscat Selected Among 32 Global Metropolises for UNESCO Learning Cities Academy 2026 in Shanghai: Advancing Urban Health and Lifelong Learning
The Wilayat of Muscat has been selected to represent the Sultanate of Oman at the prestigious UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) Global Academy 2026, convening in Shanghai. Organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in partnership with Shanghai Open University, the global program positions Oman’s capital alongside an elite cohort of 32 pioneering world cities, including Beijing, Turin, Dresden, Athens, Edmonton, Medellin, Nairobi, and Ankara.
The international selection marks a major advancement in Oman’s municipal governance and human development agenda under Oman Vision 2040, following the landmark inclusion of Muscat, Sur, and Nizwa in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in February 2024. The 2026 Academy serves as an operational crucible where participating municipal administrations transition beyond initial membership into active multilateral policy design, exchanging empirical models across urban planning, digital transformation, and community-wide lifelong learning.
A Multi-Sectoral Governance Architecture
Muscat’s participation is orchestrated through an integrated multi-sectoral delegation uniting Muscat Governorate, Muscat Municipality, the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Ministry of Health, alongside grassroots municipal representation. This collaborative governance model reflects the core philosophy of UNESCO Learning Cities, which requires structural synergy between municipal administration, public health authorities, and civic institutions.
The delegation’s operational mandate is supported by an executive task force responsible for tracking project milestones, documentation, and inter-agency coordination. By institutionalizing data management and cross-sector alignment, the governance team ensures that global best practices acquired throughout the academy are translated directly into scalable, actionable urban initiatives across Muscat’s local communities.
“Transforming urban spaces into living educational environments requires systematic alignment between municipal infrastructure, preventative public health, and active civic participation across every generation.”
— UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) Framework
Featured Global Case Study: Transforming Urban Health
A central milestone of Muscat’s international showcase is its selection to deliver a primary case study presentation on October 14, 2026, entitled “Transforming Urban Health Through Lifelong Learning.” Developed in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) Academy, the thematic track investigates how urban planning, pedestrian corridors, green public squares, and sports infrastructure directly influence community wellness and health literacy.
Muscat’s delegation will present the Sultanate’s empirical experience in embedding active lifestyles and preventative healthcare into urban residential fabrics. By linking municipal planning with neighborhood sports spaces, walkable waterfronts, and municipal health awareness programs, Muscat provides an adaptable blueprint for cities balancing rapid modern infrastructure growth with historical preservation and community well-being.
From Shanghai Deliberations to Local Implementation
The Academy follows a rigorous hybrid trajectory, blending preparatory digital training and bilateral peer reviews with an intensive, on-the-ground immersion in Shanghai scheduled for October 11–18, 2026. During the summit, international delegates will participate in technical workshops, field site audits, artificial intelligence exploratory labs, and the International Conference on Digital Lifelong Learning under the theme: Smart, Innovative, Inclusive.
Crucially, Muscat’s engagement extends far beyond the summit sessions. The delegation is tasked with formulating a comprehensive strategic municipal action plan to be finalized and audited through periodic UNESCO follow-up reviews throughout 2027. By integrating educational accessibility, digital literacy, and health-conscious urban design into Muscat’s local development master plan, the Sultanate reinforces its position as a forward-looking regional benchmark for sustainable, citizen-centric urban living.
Source: Oman Daily | Muscat Governorate & UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
