The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in the areas of common interest, most notably sustainable development, environmental protection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting cultural tourism, and publicizing Member States’ heritage.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Eng. Abdul Nabi Manar, ACAO Director-General, signed the memorandum of understanding, on Monday, February 28, 2022, at the headquarters of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, in Rabat, in the presence of a number of officials and advisers of the two organizations.

After signing the memorandum, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness at this constructive cooperation between ICESCO and ACAO, pointing out that the areas of common interest of the two parties can help them conduct joint result-based studies, programs and practical projects, train and build the capacity of young people in the Islamic world in vital areas, including cyber-security and environmental sustainability.

For his part, Eng. Manar said that memorandum of understanding falls within the strategy of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, approved by the 26th Ordinary Session of the Organization’s General Assembly, which supports holding partnerships likely to enhance its efforts to achieve its strategic orientations, noting that ICESCO has become a house of expertise, a global hub for scientific competencies from all Muslim countries and an international center for dialogue and human commonalities to build a new world where the values of brotherhood, harmony and peace prevail.

At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, Eng. Manar presented the shield of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization to Dr. AlMalik in appreciation of his efforts and the roles that ICESCO fulfills in its areas of competence.

The memorandum of understanding aims to lay the foundations for cooperation and partnership between the two parties in the fields of environmental protection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable development, cultural and sustainable tourism, and publicizing cultural and heritage treasures in Member States by holding joint conferences and seminars in the fields of aviation and tourism, encouraging young people in the Islamic world to join the field of civil aviation, and supporting entrepreneurs in this field.