Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Mohamed Ould Soueidatt, Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, President of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The meeting discussed partnership developments between ICESCO and Mauritania in the fields of education, science and culture, particularly within the framework of the celebration of Nouakchott, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

During the meeting, held on Monday (February 6, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in the presence of Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Committee, and Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to support all projects and activities scheduled within the framework of the celebration of Nouakchott, Capital of Culture of the Islamic World for 2023, noting that ICESCO aims, through its Capital of Culture of the Islamic World Programme, to disseminate the true image, heritage and history of these cities to turn them into cultural destinations.

ICESCO Director-General underscored that the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture are the channel through which the Organization communicates and coordinate with its Member States to identify the priorities and needs of each country, design appropriate programs and projects for maximum benefit, stressing ICESCO’s keenness to sustain coordination with the Mauritanian authorities concerned to achieve this goal.

For his part, Mr. Soueidatt commended ICESCO’s roles and efforts to support its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing that Mauritania supports the Organization’s initiatives, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation and partnership in light of the celebration of Nouakchott, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.

Afterward, the two parties held an expanded meeting in the presence of ICESCO officials, where they reviewed the proposed programs and projects for cooperation between ICESCO and Mauritania in the upcoming period, which reflects their keenness to ensure the success of this partnership.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination between ICESCO and the Mauritanian National Commission to develop implementation plans for the agreed-upon programs, projects and activities.