On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr Hilal Alsanani, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of Tunisia, received the Arab Cultural Excellence Medal (Supreme Class) from the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

The medal was presented during an official ceremony held at the Organisation’s headquarters in the Tunisian capital.

This prestigious medal, the first of its kind awarded by ALECSO since its founding in 1970, reflects Arab recognition of the distinguished cultural standing of Oman. It also acknowledges His Majesty’s pioneering role in fostering culture and knowledge, and in advancing intellectual development across the Arab world.

In his address, Dr Mohamed Ould Amar, the Director General of ALECSO  said that awarding the ALECSO Arab Cultural Excellence Medal to His Majesty represents a moment of Arab gratitude to a leader who has made culture a national project and knowledge a vision for civilisations. He praised the model constructed by Oman under His Majesty’s wise leadership – a model that balances authenticity and modernity, and strengthens culture both as a power for development and a tool for embedding the values of peace, tolerance, and dialogue.

He noted that this honour is not limited to His Majesty personally, but rather recognises a national  journey that has firmly established culture’s role in building the future of the Arab individual. He added that it reaffirms Oman’s presence in supporting joint Arab cultural action, preserving heritage, and promoting dialogue and rapprochement among peoples. He expressed the Organisation’s appreciation for the support it receives from Oman and its pride in the cooperative relations between ALESCO and Oman in serving Arab culture and enhancing its global presence.

In his address, Ambassador Alsanani said  that awarding the Supreme Arab Cultural Excellence Medal to His Majesty reflects ALECSO’s recognition of His Majesty’s leading role in championing culture and strengthening its role as a pillar of sustainable development and scientific progress.

He noted that Oman Vision 2040 prioritises the Omani people and their cultural identity, while embedding the values of tolerance and dialogue between civilisations. He added that this honour reflects the alignment of Oman’s cultural vision with the Organisation’s goals of protecting Arab identity, supporting knowledge and innovation, preserving heritage, and promoting the Arabic language.

Sayyid Saud Hilal Albusaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, said that ALECSO’s award of the Arab Cultural Excellence Medal (Supreme Class) to His Majesty reflects His Majesty’s high vision of establishing culture as a central pillar of comprehensive development and as a tributary to the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. He added that it also recognises His Majesty’s ongoing commitment to supporting intellectual activity, thereby contributing to human understanding and regional and international stability.

The Minister affirmed that this honour acknowledges the standing Oman has established in supporting culture and knowledge and enhancing their role in human development, while building bridges of rapprochement between nations.

The Minister added that, under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, Oman continues actively to contribute to joint Arab cultural action and to strengthen intellectual partnerships that serve the goals of sustainable development, entrenching culture as a gateway to a more stable and prosperous future for generations to come.