On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the International Conference on the Teaching Profession kicked off in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The Conference was co-organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Ministry of Education of the Sultanate of Oman, and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), under the theme “Sustainable Education in the Age of AI,” and saw the participation of ministers and education officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as more than 400 experts, researchers, educators, and representatives of relevant international organizations.

During the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that the world today needs teachers who are well-versed in contemporary issues and proficient in the use of modern and advanced tools such as AI. He further emphasized that these technologies will never replace teachers, stating: “No matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, it will never replace teachers who understand their students, motivate them, and inspire them to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr. AlMalik added that the desired synergy requires teachers who continuously develop themselves and adopt a culture of continuous training and learning, thereby improving classroom performance and enhancing the quality of educational outcomes.

Likewise, the Director-General stated that the Organization, which is in the process of finalizing its new program, “Civilizational Upbringing,” reaffirms its commitment to sustain coordination with partners to support an educational approach that preserves identity while promoting openness and humanity. He reiterated his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the Conference and supporting initiatives to improve education and the status of teachers.

For her part, Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education in the Sultanate of Oman, emphasized that the ministries of education in the Gulf countries have become leading models in digital transformation, educational innovation, and the development of resilient education systems. She added that advances in AI have not weakened the role of teachers, but rather redefined their role to become more profound and influential.

Dr. Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Moqbel, ABEGS Director-General, explained that the Conference aligns with the Bureau’s approach to sustainable education and maximizing the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve the efficiency of educational systems. He stated that the Conference offers a platform for promoting field research and sharing inspiring experiences and expertise to support teachers’ professional development.

Following the opening session, Dr. AlMalik, along with ministers and senior officials, visited the educational exhibition held on the sidelines of the Conference.

The two-day Conference aims to discuss ways to develop learning environments and promote the integration of AI technologies and educational practices to ensure the quality of the educational process. It also aims to share Gulf and international experiences in teacher training and educational leadership, and support educational and administrative practices that promote sustainable development within the school environment.