The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation in the areas of blended education, community development, women empowerment, early childhood care, financial inclusion, and the Prince Talal International Award for Human Development.

The MoU was signed on Wednesday 17 January 2024, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, AGFUND Chairman, President of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Open University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The signing took place during the opening session of the 44th ICESCO Executive Council hosted in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Over the course of four years, the MoU outlines collaboration between ICESCO and AGFUND in implementing projects and activities related to knowledge exchange and enrichment through human development, empowering women and children in ICESCO Member States, promoting innovation and professional and personal skills for youth through higher education, and sharing best practices for the development of local communities.

It also provides for organizing joint activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and training courses.