The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, have signed an annex to amend the Organization’s Headquarters Agreement for the first time in 36 years since it was signed in 1988. Under this agreement, the Kingdom of Morocco grants ICESCO and its staff a set of privileges.

The Agreement was signed on Saturday, May 4, 2024, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO, and Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, capital of the Republic of The Gambia.

On this occasion, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the people and government of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for the continued support to ICESCO and the hospitality granted to its staff in the seat country. These have always been of great help to the Organization in fulfilling its civilizational mission.
The Annex to the Headquarters Agreement accounted for the modification of ICESCO’s name, which was approved in 2020 by its Executive Council which enjoyed the powers of its General Conference.

The Annex also provides several fiscal privileges to the Organization, mainly exemption from all registration taxes, facilitating the issuance of entry visas to Morocco for guests and participants in its activities and for the families of non-national staff and experts, as well as facilitating the conditions for issuing residency permits and replacing diplomatic cars for them.

Moreover, the Annex stipulated the facilitation of issuing entry visas to Morocco and residency permits for ICESCO trainees, selected to participate in its professional training programs for the youth of the Islamic world, during their stay.