Cairo Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber attended the opening session of the third Conference on Media and Information Literacy and Global Understanding, held under the theme “Peace for All.” The event is part of UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2026, taking place from October 18 to 20.
The conference was attended by Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport and Chair of the Conference; Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattab, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Media and Communication Sector at the Arab League, representing Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the Arab League; Spanish Ambassador to Egypt Sergio Carranza Forster; UNESCO Regional Director in Cairo Paul Coustère; Conference Secretaries-General Dr. Sami Taye and Dr. José Manuel Pérez Tornero; Rapporteur of the Conference Dr. Mohammad El-Nashar; and Adeline Hulin, UNESCO Representative.
During his speech, Governor Saber welcomed the attendees in Cairo, the city of history and civilization. He also said that the conference goes beyond exchanging ideas and expertise but reflects a shared recognition of a fundamental truth: the future of societies no longer depends solely on their ability to produce and disseminate information; it is rather linked to their capacity to understand this information, verify its sources, distinguish between truth and misinformation, and use knowledge and technology responsibly in ways that serve humanity and preserve social cohesion.
Saber further stated that the conference’s significance aligns with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to build the capacities of Egyptian citizens, raising awareness, preserving national identity, and creating new generations able to deal with the changes of the modern era, given that awareness and knowledge represent key pillars for building a society capable of confronting challenges and shaping the future.
Moreover, Saber said that media and information literacy have become essential due to rapid digital transformations. He added that it has a vital role in promoting awareness, enhancing the ability to differentiate between credible information and misleading content, and promoting a culture of dialogue, understanding, and peace among nations.
Saber also added that in an era of accelerating digital transformation, the responsibility of institutions goes beyond providing access to information but extends to building the capacity to understand, critically evaluate, and use it responsibly. He further said that highlights the importance of cooperation among educational, media, and cultural institutions and of equipping young people with the tools of critical thinking in ways that promote a culture of dialogue and respect for diversity.
Saber added that the conference is of heightened importance in light of the rapid transformations taking place around the world. Information now flows through digital platforms at an unprecedented pace, while artificial intelligence tools and modern technologies are reshaping the ways knowledge is produced and exchanged, directly influencing the nature of relations within societies and among countries.
The governor further said during his speech that while these transformations offer vast opportunities for learning, innovation, and participation, they also impose new responsibilities related to confronting misleading news, false information, hate speech, and the manipulation of digital content, which undermine trust, deepen divisions, and undermine the values of coexistence and mutual understanding.
The governor also expressed his hope that the conference would contribute to the exchange of expertise among participating countries and to the development of practical initiatives that support media and information literacy.
Concluding his speech, the governor of Cairo welcomed the participants who arrived in the capital and expressed his hope that the conference’s proceedings would yield practical, actionable recommendations that contribute to promoting awareness, protecting identity, and strengthening cooperation among nations. This will ensure the dissemination of credible knowledge and harness it to build a future marked by greater understanding, tolerance, and peace.
🖋️ Source: Media department, Cairo Governorate
