Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Ms. Françoise Remarck, Ivorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie, where they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Côte d’Ivoire in the field of culture.

The meeting, held on Friday 30 September 2022, on the sidelines of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2022), saw the participation of Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO Culture and Communication Sector; Robert Djérou Ly, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Mexico; and several officials of the Ivorian Ministry of Culture.

During the meeting, Dr. Benarafa reviewed the general orientations of ICESCO, stressing that Africa is at the heart of its priorities and strategic vision through the implementation of several programmes in the fields of education, science and culture.For her part, Ms. Remarck praised ICESCO’s efforts for the benefit of its Member States, welcoming the inscription of three historical sites on the Heritage List in the Islamic world in 2022.

The two parties also explored the necessary arrangements to proclaim Abidjan as the African region’s Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023. In this regard, the Minister reaffirmed the willingness of her country to organize the celebration in line with ICESCO’s Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World.