Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Tuesday, August 18, with Mr. Ibrahim Al Khalil Seck, Ambassador of Senegal to Morocco to elaborate on cooperation opportunities between the Organization and the country.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the recent ICESCO-Senegal projects are tangible examples of the organization’s and the country’s joint efforts to support Senegalese citizens, women, youth, and entrepreneurs. The participation of Senegalese officials in the Organization’s conferences and meetings and Senegal’s membership to the “Global Humanitarian Coalition” initiative further advances the commitment to sustained development, highlighted the DG.

He stated that ICESCO’s result-oriented strategy is based on effective communication with Member States. The purpose is to identify beneficiaries’ priorities and develop practical country-specific programs with measurable deliverables.

Dr. AlMalik also relayed the importance of the “9^th World Water Forum (Dakar, 2021),” which ICESCO will hold in cooperation with the Senegalese Ministry of Water and the Secretariat of the forum. He added that last July’s meeting on “Water Security for Peace and Development in the Islamic World” came amid the preparations for the “Dakar 2021” forum.

 The DG reviewed ICESCO’s major programs and initiatives to support Member States’ efforts in addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19 global pandemic. He noted that the African Member States were the primary beneficiaries.

The Senegalese Ambassador praised ICESCO’s distinguished performance during the pandemic, underscoring his country’s willingness to pursue and develop constructive cooperation with the Organization. Prior to the DG’s Tuesday visit to the Senegalese Embassy in Rabat, President Macky Sall welcomed him last January at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.