Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Sultanbai Raev, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), held a meeting and together discussed prospects of cooperation between the two organizations in the fields of promoting culture and civilizational dialogue and safeguarding heritage in the Islamic world.

During the meeting, held on Monday, November 22, 2022, in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, as part of the two officials’ participation in the 9th Global Forum for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO is working toward documenting and safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world through inscribing heritage sites and cultural elements on the Islamic world heritage lists and organizing training sessions for experts in this field to train them on the process of preparing inscription files.

For his part, Mr. Raev commended ICESCO’s efforts in the field of safeguarding cultural heritage expressing his organization’s readiness to develop joint programs and activities with ICESCO, particularly regarding the Program of the Celebration of Culture Capitals in the Islamic World.

The two parties agreed to renew their cooperation agreement to provide for the implementation of several programs and projects and the organization of several conferences focusing on safeguarding heritage, highlighting the Islamic civilization, promoting cultural tourism, fostering dialogue among cultures and civilizations and countering violence and extremism.

The meeting was attended by a number of ICESCO officials, namely Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Amb. Khalid Farhalrahman, Head of the Center of Civilizational Dialogue, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, head of the Sector of Social and Human Sciences, Ms. Amina Fadil, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperatio