The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) have signed a media partnership agreement. The measure includes a joint implementation of several practical programs and projects to train journalists and media professionals from the ICESCO Member States, particularly in Africa, co-organize international media conferences, and cooperate in the areas of publishing and production of information materials.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, MAP DG, signed the agreement today, February 8, 2021, at ICESCO’s Headquarters, in Rabat, with the presence of many directors from ICESCO and MAP.

In a statement at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stressed the agreement constitutes a fresh start of cooperation between the Organization and the Agency.

“This agreement aims at implementing major and impactful programs and projects in capacity-building and training in the field of media. ICESCO’s new vision prioritizes support and training of young people as well as investment in manpower.”

Mr. Idrissi stated that the agreement will strengthen the bilateral relations of the two parties and benefit many young media professionals, particularly in the African continent, through training and capacity-building in the field of media.

The agreement provides for co-holding symposia, fora and workshops, and cooperation in preparing, producing, and broadcasting information materials in paper and digital publication, in addition to the 7th International Conference of International News Agencies that MAP will hold in in Marrakech, in 2022.

The two parties will also form a joint committee for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the agreement, particularly the development of a results-based action plan, the preparation of the implementation schedule and modalities, and the submission of periodic reports to the officials concerned on the progress of the projects.