Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Masoumeh Ebtekar, Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Women and Family Affairs, held a videoconference today, July 29 to discuss future cooperation programmes between the Organization and the country.

During this meeting, the Iranian Vice-President commended the ICESCO’s initiatives to bolster Member States’ efforts in addressing the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also stressed the need for the Islamic Ummah to stand firm, actively cooperate, and support each other, especially in times of crisis.

Dr. Ebtekar reviewed Iran’s efforts and cooperation with countries of the Islamic world to address the pandemic, reaffirming that support for families to overcome these difficult times is a priority.

The Vice-President noted that an international center for family dialogue had been established to communicate more with individuals to address the problems they may face. She also expressed her willingness to share this know-how with ICESCO Member States through cooperation to hold a forum within the framework of the “The Societies We Want” initiative.

Dr. AlMalik supported the proposal and invited the Iranian Vice-President as the keynote speaker. The programme for the event will be defined at a later date. It will include a presentation of the know-how acquired by the Iranian Centre for Family Dialogue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ICESCO’s DG stressed that the Organization had undergone a major modernization over the past year and strengthened its team by recruiting young and distinguished skills. ICESCO thus became a center of expertise and a beacon of international influence in the fields of education, science, and culture.

He indicated that this pandemic, which some regarded as a trial, was ICESCO’s opportunity to work intensively on implementing several practical initiatives and executive programmes.

The initiatives include ICESCO Prize for the Fight against Coronavirus, which will award US$ 200,000 to those who discover an effective cure or preventive vaccine against the virus.  “ICESCO Digital Home” initiative offers knowledge and educational content.

Many states, international organizations, and donor institutions have also joined the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition” initiative, to which Iran and its institutions may also participate.

Dr. Gholam-Reza Karimi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission, officials of the Iranian National Commission, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ICESCO’s Directors of Sectors attended the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed that the coming period would see extensive cooperation between Iran and ICESCO in Organization’s fields of activity. The initial step is organizing the International Forum to be held within the framework of the “Societies We Want” initiative, on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children.