The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science, technology, media and communication, through the implementation of joint programs and projects, and the exchange of technical expertise, knowledge and best practices in these fields.

The MoU was signed on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Amb. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, OTS Secretary-General. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Morocco, Mr. Mustafa İlker Kılıç, Ambassador of Türkiye, Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy DG and several heads of sectors and departments at the Organization.

Dr. AlMalik expressed his delight at signing this MoU, stating that it would be the stepping stone for greater cooperation between ICESCO and the OTS in the fields of education, science and culture. He also commended the strong partnership relations between ICESCO and a number of the Member States of both organizations, especially Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

For his part, Amb. Omuraliev stressed that the signing of the MoU will open great prospects for impactful cooperation between the Member States of the two organizations through the implementation of joint programs and projects falling within the two organizations’ areas of competence.

The MoU provides for promoting joint cooperation between the two organizations, contributing to the development of expertise and knowledge exchange between universities and higher education institutions in the Member States, participating in the annual and ministerial meetings of both sides, and implementing a number of initiatives and projects in areas of common interest.

Prior to the signing, the Director-General received the OTS Secretary General, and together they reaffirmed their keenness to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations, in accordance with the MoU provisions. They also agreed to focus efforts on building young capacities, supporting efforts to develop scientific research, and publicizing the cultures of the Islamic world and the contributions of its scientists throughout history in building human civilization.

Founded in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization, the Organization of Turkic States is based in the Istanbul, Türkiye, and its members include Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The OTS also has a number of Observer States. in addition to the membership of a number of countries and organizations as observers.