H.E. President Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia and Chair of the OIC Summit Conference, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and The Gambia in education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held on Sunday, May 5, 2024, on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, Dr. AlMalik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to deepen cooperation with Gambia as part of the Organization’s new vision, strategic orientation and commitment to communicating with its Member States to identify their priorities and needs and design tailored programs for each of them.

Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the notable initiatives, programs and activities of ICESCO, mainly in the fields of social and humanitarian action, capacity building and training of women and youth, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening education and scientific research systems, and preserving and valuing heritage. Dr. AlMalik informed H.E. President that a host of ICESCO officials and experts will visit Banjul to meet with Gambian officials and agree on the implementation of a set of programs in cooperation with the competent Gambian authorities.

Dr. AlMalik invited H.E. President Barrow to visit ICESCO headquarters in Rabat at the earliest opportunity and welcomed his participation as a guest of honor in one of ICESCO’s upcoming events.

For his part, H.E. President Barrow expressed his desire to enhance cooperation between The Gambia and ICESCO, praising the Organization’s role in supporting the efforts of its Member States in its areas of competence.

At the end of the meeting, ICESCO DG presented the Gambian president with the Organization’s honorary shield.