Mr. Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), to explore ways of developing the cooperation relations between ICESCO and Libya in areas of common interest, particularly in light of the celebration of Benghazi as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, within ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Programme.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Tripoli, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the major current initiatives, programs and activities of ICESCO, under its new vision and strategic orientations, which focus on building the capacities and developing the skills of women and youth to meet the requirements of the professions of tomorrow, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening education, and scientific research systems, promoting and preserving heritage through its inscription on its Islamic World Heritage List, and consolidating the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.
The meeting discussed the importance of the celebration of Benghazi, Culture Capital in the Islamic World, to give a new impetus to the partnership between ICESCO and Libya in the fields of education, science, and culture, and highlight the artistic and cultural elements of Benghazi and other Libyan cities.

For his part, Mr. Dbeibah reaffirmed the State of Libya’s support for ICESCO and its intention to settle its entire arrears to the Organization’s budget, in addition to its willingness to provide funding for a number of ICESCO’s programs and projects in Libya or in other countries of the Islamic world, explaining that the Government of National Unity will finance all programs, projects and activities falling within the Celebration of Benghazi, Culture Capital in the Islamic World.

The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity commended the roles of ICESCO in supporting the efforts of its Member States in its areas of competence, and expressed special interest in the Organization’s programs to build the capacities of young people and inscribing tangible and intangible heritage, stressing that Libya is fully prepared to host international conferences and seminars of ICESCO.