Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Lolwah Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation in the State of Qatar, and together explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and Qatar and enhance their joint programs in the fields of education, science and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Wednesday, 17 May 2023, at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha, Dr. AlMalik, commended Qatar’s unwavering support to several ICESCO initiatives and projects, notably the regional educational center in Chad and the Chair for the Alliance of Civilizations at the Qatar University, stressing the importance of capitalizing upon Qatar’s accomplishments in hosting the 2022 World Cup to foster educational and cultural progress.

ICESCO DG reviewed the Organization’s vision, strategic orientations and major ongoing programs, laying particular emphasis on those aimed at developing youth capacities, empowering women, advancing education, and promoting the role of sports in fostering development and peace, as well as anchoring principles of coexistence and civilizational dialogue.

The meeting touched upon cooperation between ICESCO and Qatar, particularly in the areas of supporting innovation, technology and girls’ education in Afghanistan, and the importance of inscribing Qatar’s historical sites and cultural elements on ICESCO’s lists of heritage in the Islamic world.

For her part, Ms. Al-Khater underlined Qatar’s keenness to foster cooperation with ICESCO through the joint implementation of a range of projects and initiatives.

Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Civilizational Dialogue Center and Mr. Salim Al Habsi, Program Manager at ICESCO’s General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, attended the meeting.