Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The meeting discussed ways of enhancing cooperation and joint action in preparation for the Conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), which will be hosted in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, with a high-level presence of heads of state and government, ministers and experts from all over the world.

During the meeting, held on Monday, April 29, 2024, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the two parties stressed their keenness to contribute to the success of COP 16, which is a major event gaining further momentum in light of the global climate change and its threat to natural resources and food security.

The meeting also touched on ICESCO’s participation and activities throughout the conference days, from December 2-13, in full coordination and cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. These activities will focus on building young people’s capacities in the field of the environment to raise awareness of climate change and environmental challenges, including desertification, within the framework of the Organization’s strategic orientations to prioritize environment protection, implement a number of initiatives, programs and projects, encourage Member States to invest in renewable energy, shift towards flexible, smart and sustainable cities, and promote the use of modern technology in agriculture.

Moreover, ICESCO DG indicated that the Organization will form a team of experts and officials to devise the program of ICESCO participation in COP 16 and supervise the preparation and implementation of its activities in this major international event.