Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) received on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mrs. Giovanna Barberis, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Morocco. The parties discussed ways of developing cooperation between the two organizations, particularly in the field of education.

During the meeting, which several ICESCO’s advisors and heads of sectors and departments attended, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Organization has undergone several processes of development and modernization. The changes include ICESCO’s vision, strategy, and action mechanisms.  The Organization also opened up to cooperation and partnership with international organizations in areas of common interest, the DG continued.

Discussions also focused on practical programs, to be jointly implemented, in supporting children and providing quality education and training opportunities, especially for girls and youth. The parties also agreed to hold technical meetings between the UNICEF team and experts from ICESCO’s Education and Human and Social Sciences Sectors to discuss the proposed cooperation programs and plans for their implementation.

Both parties also discussed the possibility of cooperation between UNICEF and ICESCO’s Strategic Foresight Center in conducting studies on the future of children’s education after COVID-19, and in other areas of common interest.