Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called on international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture to overcome the challenge of funding for their programs and projects through innovation and creativity in implementation in the most cost-effective manner by capitalizing on modern technology applications.

This statement was part of his address, delivered on Wednesday (March 8, 2023), in the first discussion panel of the Conference on the Future of Education, Culture and Science Organizations, which is being held by ALECSO and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, with the participation of UNESCO and ICESCO, in Riyadh, under the theme “Together towards change in the 21st Century,” in the presence of Mr. Youssef Bin Abdullah Al Bunyan, Saudi Minister of Education and Vice-Chairman of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and a group of officials and experts from regional and international organizations and bodies concerned.

ICESCO Director-General explained the importance of creativity and innovation in the implementation of projects, activities and initiatives through science and modern technologies, reviewing ICESCO’s experience in organizing training sessions in the field of Arabic for non-Arabic speakers virtually from “Mishkat Hall,” which provides opportunities for the development of the skills of Arabic language teachers around the world, and benefits a large number of participants at the lowest cost.

Dr. AlMalik underlined the importance of complementarity between international organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture through joint programs and projects, periodic consultative meetings and coordination in international conferences, seminars and meetings, considering that such vision would provide unlimited opportunities to overcome future challenges facing these organizations to fulfill their lofty mission.

He added that ICESCO is keen to be a forward-looking organization striving to establish a regulatory framework for its Member States, in coordination with the National Commissions, to implement programs and projects that meet with their priorities and aspirations to develop the fields of education, science and culture.

It is noteworthy that the agenda of the two-day Conference features the organization of more than 20 sessions and panel discussions on four main axes exploring the future of these organizations. The conference also discusses cooperation and promotion of partnership opportunities between international organizations, academia, experts, companies and financial institutions.

ICESCO is participating in the conference with a high-level delegation, headed by Dr. Al-Malik, and a number of its officials, who will take part in the Conference sessions to review the development within ICESCO as well as the great cooperation with other regional and international organizations and bodies.