Today, in Abu Dhabi, the 40^th session of the Executive Council of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), kicked off. This session will review, over the course of two days, the Organization’s new vision, Action Plan for 2020-2021, the new Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2020-2030, and a number of organizational matters submitted by the General Directorate to the Council.

The opening session of ISESCO Executive Council started with the address of Dr. Noura Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development of the United Arab Emirates, wherein she welcomed the hosting of the Executive Council in Abu Dhabi, while conveying her wishes for the attainment of the desired outcomes in such a way that serves the peoples of the Islamic world. She also expressed her thanks to ISESCO Director General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, for his efforts and vision aimed at developing the Organization’s organs and promoting effective coordination with Member States.

Moreover, Dr. Al Kaabi stated that the historic changes witnessed throughout the Islamic world and affecting all walks of life compel us to keep up with the changes and adopt innovative and forward-looking solutions that respond to Muslim societies’ needs and build a better future for the next generations.

At the close of her address, the Emirati Minister reiterated her country’s commitment to supporting the new vision and strategy of ISESCO to anchor its position as a civilizational beacon and an effective platform for joint Islamic action in the cultural, scientific and educational fields.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ISESCO Director General, thanked the members of the Executive Council for attending the 40^th session of the Council. He also expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, for the good reception and generous hospitality they offered to the Council members and guests. Likewise, he thanked Ms. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, as well as the Ministry’s team. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik welcomed Her Excellency Lalla Malika Issoufou, First Lady of the Republic of Niger,  guest of honor of the Council at its current session.

Afterwards, the Director General reviewed the Organization’s new vision, stating that ISESCO adopted an anticipatory vision that will allow it to move from idealistic aspirations to realistic achievements, position the Organization at a leading standing to become a beacon of global outreach in its areas of competence, and develop action mechanisms that meet the Islamic world’s expectations for a better future.

Dr. AlMalik also reviewed a number of initiatives while expressing his confidence that the Executive Council will contribute to supporting and enriching the orientations of this new vision to build together an ISESCO of the future and the world of tomorrow.

In his address, Dr. Boubacar Doukouré, Chairman of ISESCO Executive Council, commended the dynamics and spirit of renewal within ISESCO, which has achieved great results since the appointment of Dr. AlMalik as Director General. He also promised, on behalf of the Executive Council, that he will support Dr. AlMalik in the implementation of the new vision, which aims to turn ISESCO into an outreach beacon for Member States.

On his part, Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri, President of ISESCO General Conference, expressed his pleasure and honor to attend the 40th Session of ISESCO Executive Council, in the State of United Arab Emirates, which constitutes an annual educational, cultural and scientific gathering aiming to develop ISESCO’s action.

Besides, Dr. Abu Zuhri requested the Council to seize this session to enrich the debate on the promotion of many issues relevant to the Organization so as to enable ISESCO to open up to the world while wishing every success to the Council.

In her address, Ms. Lalla Malika Issoufou, First Lady of the Republic of Niger, praised the role that ISESCO plays in supporting education while pointing out “Education is the key to life. Girls are marginalized in many countries such as Niger, where only 5 out of 100 girls enrolled in primary schools  reach the secondary school level” .

She also conveyed to the Council the special greetings of the President of Niger, H.H. Mahamadou Issoufou, who reiterated his support to ISESCO and the development of cooperation relations in its areas of competence.

At the close of the session, ISESCO Director General and the Emirati Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development presented ISESCO’s Prizes in the fields of Literacy and Non-Formal Education, which was won by the “Aarafa Centre” in the Republic of Chad, which was received on the Centre’s behalf by Dr. Ali Mohammed Qamar, the representative of the Republic of the Chad at the Executive Council; and ISESCO Prize for Open Source Educational Resources for the year 2018, to the representatives of the Ministry of National Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Senegalese Ministry of  Education for their initiatives on “Digital Resources for All”.

Moreover, Yanbu Digital Platform of the Centre of Learning Resources won ISESCO Prize for Digital Educational Resources for the year 2019.