The second meeting of the Joint Committee for Coordination and Cooperation between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) kicked off on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, to review the latest partnership developments between the two organizations and discuss its development mechanisms through the implementation of a number of initiatives and programs for the benefit of the countries of the Islamic world in areas of common interest.

Prior to the beginning of the Committee’s technical meetings, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, welcomed the OIC delegation, led by Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Cultural, Social and Family Affairs, and underlined ICESCO’s willingness to develop the partnership with its parent organization, the OIC, given their common goals and visions aiming at serving the countries of the Islamic world in their respective areas of competence.

He stressed that the cooperation approach between the two organizations is based on newness and continuity, recalling the recent bilateral meetings he had with Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC Secretary General, and their willingness to consolidate the partnership between ICESCO and the OIC.

Moreover, ICESCO Director General reviewed the main successful programs implemented by the Organization for the benefit of its Member States, in the light of its new vision and action strategy. He also hoped that this meeting would be a continuation of the first meeting, held two years ago at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters, in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He also underlined the importance of this meeting in view of the enormous challenges facing the Islamic world, and indicated that the OIC General Secretariat has been working to eliminate the obstacles hindering cooperation between the two organizations.

On behalf of the OIC Secretary General, Ambassador Bakhit presented Dr. AlMalik with the OIC shield in recognition of his efforts in developing the fields of education, science and culture in the Islamic world.

The two-day technical meetings of the joint committee began in the presence of the OIC delegation, as well as the Heads of Sectors and Directors of Centers and Departments of ICESCO, to examine the latest developments in cooperation between the two parties, as well as the proposed programs and projects for the coming period.