Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation from Shanghai International Studies University, headed by Mr. Lin Xuelei, Vice President of the University and both reviewed ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas of common interest.

During the meeting, which took place on Tuesday 05 March 2024 at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, the two sides praised the great success of the International Silk Road Conference, which was held by the Organization in December 2023 at its headquarters in Rabat in partnership with the Institute of Silk Road Strategy Studies, affiliated with the University, and commended the content of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between ICESCO and the Institute to establish the Chair for Silk Road Studies to promote civilizational dialogue between China and the Islamic world, organize a joint exhibition of the Silk Road heritage, and host international forums and workshops for the benefit of young people in this field.

The meeting reviewed cooperation between the two sides in the fields of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, translating major books and studies on the Silk Road in implementation of the MoU and the relevant action plan for joint cooperation between ICESCO and the Institute.

The meeting was attended from ICESCO side by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, Dr. Omar Hali, Advisor to the Director-General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, and Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Director of the Center for Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers.