Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed the need to integrate the green agenda into educational systems amid the negative effects of climate change, which has become a major source of concern. He pointed out that achieving sustainability lies in joint action between institutions working in the fields of education and climate policy to empower students and create a safer environment, announcing in this connection the launch of “ICESCO Framework for Greening Education in the Islamic World” in cooperation with the prestigious University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

This statement came in his address delivered on Monday (18 November 2024) during the Ministerial Roundtable on Human Development and Greening Education for Climate Change Adaptation, at the Conference of the Parties (COP29), organized by the COP29 Presidency and the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with UNESCO and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), bringing together high-level attendees.

Dr. Al-Malik explained that ICESCO’s Framework includes guidelines and policy recommendations based on four main pillars: Curriculum, Teachers, Schools, and Community Engagement, aimed at integrating the scientific evidence on climate change as well as the socio-economic and behavioral aspects of climate justice, noting that the progress of ICESCO Member States in greening education will be measured by achieving short and long term objectives over the next 11 years.

The Director General revealed that ICESCO is developing an international data platform to monitor the progress in greening education, in partnership with UNESCO’s Greening Education Initiative, due to be launched at COP30, next year, in Brazil, to enable governments and policymakers to make decisions and develop plans for achieving the 2030 Agenda. He also highlighted the salient aspects of Muscat Declaration, which was issued at the close of ICESCO’s third Education Ministers Conference, on transforming education and climate Change.

In conclusion, ICESCO Director General emphasized the importance of joint action in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change and stressed that the Organization is committed to playing a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and inclusive education landscape in collaboration with all parties.