Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss ways to enhance the partnership between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in areas of common interest.
At the outset of the meeting, which took place on Friday, 31 May 2024, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tashkent, Dr. AlMalik expressed his delight in meeting with H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Presidential Palace and conveyed his gratitude and appreciation for His Excellency’s keenness to develop cooperation between ICESCO and various institutions in Uzbekistan.

For his part, Mr. Saidov commended ICESCO’s notable efforts in its areas of expertise, affirming that he had received directives from H.E President Mirziyoyev to intensify communication and coordination with ICESCO to deepen cooperation between the two sides through the implementation of joint programs and projects and the organization of joint international conferences, as well as to ensure the success of the celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025.

Following, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s current and key initiatives, programs, and projects as part of its new vision and strategic orientations, particularly in youth capacity-building and training them for the professions of tomorrow, supporting entrepreneurship, contributing to the development of education, enhancing the presence of women and girls in various sectors, valorizing and preserving heritage, and consolidating the values of coexistence, peace, and civilizational dialogue.

As part of Dr. AlMalik’s visit, the two sides also explored areas of cooperation, including preparing for the Samarkand celebration, the establishment of a National Commission in Uzbekistan to follow up on cooperation with ICESCO, engaging Uzbek professionals to join at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, organizing the proposed international conference on the life and publications of Al-Bukhari, and ensuring ICESCO’s participation in international events in Uzbekistan.

The meeting also discussed a proposal for cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in the implementation of several joint programs and projects in Afghanistan, particularly in the fields of education, culture, and the preservation and protection of heritage.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a joint team from ICESCO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan to draft an agreement on future joint programs and projects between the two sides.