On May 21st of every year, the world celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, which is an opportunity to highlight the essential role of intercultural dialogue in upholding the values of coexistence and peace, capitalizing on the richness and diversity of the world’s cultures, and building a continuous dialogue to ensure the achievement of sustainable development.

On this occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reaffirms its commitment to support all programs and initiatives aimed at promoting the various forms of cultural expressions, benefiting from the enormous potential of modern technology applications, promote understanding between people of different cultures, and contribute to achieving peace worldwide through dialogue and diplomacy.

In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ICESCO, in coordination with its partners, endeavors to encourage sustainable cooperation in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, civilizational dialogue, youth capacity-building and women training to build bridges of dialogue between cultures inside and outside the Islamic world.

Aware of the importance of bridging the gap between cultures as a prerequisite for building peace and achieving stability and development, the Organization reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the efforts of its Member States to develop strategies, which are compatible with the best practices in this field, and contribute to embracing and protecting cultural distinction and introducing different cultural expressions in innovative ways, through the use of digital media and information and communication technology.

Furthermore, ICESCO stresses its willingness to cooperate with all countries, international organizations and civil society institutions to integrate the cultural dimension into the initiatives aimed at supporting the most vulnerable groups and coordinating joint action to promote the values of tolerance, coexistence and civilized dialogue to overcome economic and social challenges and achieve sustainable development.