Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), started an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania with a meeting with Mr. Mohamed Ould Soueidatt, Mauritanian Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, Chairman of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and together they discussed developments in cooperation between ICESCO and Mauritania in the Organization’s areas of competence.

During the meeting, which was held on, Thursday, 5 January 2023, at the Ministry headquarters in Nouakchott, the two parties emphasized their keenness to pursue the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Mauritanian institutions specialized in the Organization’s areas of action, particularly in light of the celebration programme of Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for 2023, which features a vast array of activities and projects that will be implemented in the capital and other Mauritanian cities.

Dr. AlMalik noted that selecting Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023 is an appreciation of the city’s rich heritage and history and outstanding luminaries and historians and its contributions to the cultural, artistic and literary heritage of the Islamic world throughout history, stating that ICESCO’s celebration of cultural capitals originates from its awareness of the importance of the cultural capital and rests upon an endeavor to enhance the image of these cities and help turn them into prominent cultural destinations.

The two parties reviewed the major programmes and initiatives to be implemented during the current year, which are geared towards preserving and valorizing the Mauritanian heritage sites inscribed on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, supporting heritage protection institutions in Mauritania, and training heritage professionals. The meeting also touched upon holding various cultural conferences, seminars, festivals and exhibitions, building the capacities of youth and women, supporting the cultural economy and tourism, and launching a range of cultural competitions and awards.

For his part, Mr. Soueidatt lauded ICESCO’s efforts towards supporting its Member States in the educational, scientific and cultural fields, and expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the Organization’s selection of Nouakchott as culture capital in the Islamic world for 2023.
He reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s support for ICESCO and its keenness to pursue cooperation with the Organization.

The meeting brought together Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission and ICESCO DG’s accompanying delegation which was composed of heads of sectors and directors of departments at the Organization.