A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with several officials in the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two parties and a joint action plan to implement a package of projects in the fields of education, science and culture to support the efforts of the Islamic world in developing these fields.

The meeting took place on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at IsDB’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and saw the participation of ICESCO officials: Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Technology Sector, and Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight, and Dr. Mr. Salem Al Habsi, Programme Director at the General Secretariat of National Commissions and conference, and representatives from IsDB: Mr. Amer Bokovic, Acting Director General of the Global Practices and Partnerships Directorate, Mr. Mohamad Shakir Mohamad, Director of the Strategy Department at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and several heads of departments in the bank.

The meeting touched upon the renewal of the memorandum of understanding signed between ICESCO and the Bank, to include the implementation of a number of programmes and projects in the fields of education, science, technology, innovation, strategic foresight and the promotion of regional cooperation through the transfer of expertise and knowledge exchange by proposing practical projects that meet the needs of the countries of the Islamic world.

The two parties reaffirmed their eagerness for the distinguished relationship between ICESCO and IsDB, and the importance of their cooperation in implementing programmes and projects that serve the Member States. ICESCO delegation reviewed the Organization’s key programmes in the fields of science, which encourage youth creativity and innovation, in addition to highlighting the importance of ICESCO scientific chairs in various prestigious universities in the world to support scientific research, as well as the Strategic Foresight Center’s main projects, studies, conferences, training programmes and workshops to promote a culture of strategic foresight.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to hold meetings at the level of experts, to develop executive plans for some programmes and projects, to be implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB.