Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Republic of Djibouti, held a meeting to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between ICESCO and Djibouti in several areas of common interest.

During the meeting, which took place on Monday, June 20, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, with the presence of Mr. Mohamed Douhour Hersi, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to the Kingdom of Morocco, and the delegation accompanying the Minister, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key components of ICESCO vision and strategy, which accord great importance to youth and women capacity-building, foster scientific research in the Member States, encourage investment in space sciences and make use of artificial intelligence applications to promote education, science and culture.

The meeting reviewed the existing cooperation between ICESCO and Djibouti and the Organization’s support in the field of teaching the Arabic language. The two parties also discussed future cooperation in implementing joint programs in the fields of education, scientific research, women and youth capacity-building, as well as attracting talents from Djibouti to work at ICESCO.

For his part, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Djibouti expressed his country’s aspiration to build a fruitful partnership with ICESCO in areas of common interest, especially in supporting the Arabic language and adopting cultural projects within Djibouti universities to valorize and safeguard heritage.

He invited ICESCO to participate in a climate conference to be held in the Republic of Djibouti in October.

The meeting brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Ms. Amira Fadel, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, and Supervisor of ICESCO’s Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.