President Kaïs Saïed, President of the Republic of Tunisia, reaffirmed his full support for the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), commending the new orientations adopted over the past five years, which have granted the Organization a wider scope of action as a civilizational organization addressing the world at large.

Mr. Saïed made this statement during his reception of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and his accompanying delegation at Carthage Palace in Tunis, where the two parties discussed avenues of cooperation between ICESCO and Tunisia in the fields of culture, education, and science.

During the meeting, the Director-General highlighted the Organization’s vision, strategic orientations, and the advancements achieved in its performance and the quality of projects implemented over the past five years. He added that the Organization has opened up to broader partnerships and cooperation opportunities, stating that it now offers non-Member States the chance to join ICESCO as Observer States, to consolidate its development efforts and activate its orientations through the promotion of the values of coexistence, peace, civilizational dialogue, and openness to others. Against this backdrop, Dr. AlMalik conveyed ICESCO’s keenness to enhance its special partnership relations with Tunisia, especially in light of the country’s prominent status in the fields of education, culture, and science.

Likewise, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to the Tunisian President for the warm welcome and sustained support for ICESCO, as evidenced by Tunisia’s hosting of the 45th Session of ICESCO’s Executive Council, to be held in February. He seized the opportunity to reaffirm ICESCO’s support for His Excellency’s initiative to launch the Project of the International Center of Calligraphy, “Iqra,” a project that is in full harmony with ICESCO’s efforts to inaugurate its own specialized center for calligraphy and manuscripts.

Moreover, the Director-General highlighted the Organization’s major projects, programs, and initiatives, especially designed to keep up with global trends and advancements. He further explained that ICESCO seeks, through its projects, to engage with youth and women, build their capacities, and promote innovation and creativity, conveying the Organization’s appreciation for the work and dedication of the high Tunisian profiles working at its headquarters.

For his part, the Tunisian President commended ICESCO’s efforts and the key roles it plays within its areas of competence, expressing the Republic’s eagerness to promote cooperation and joint action with the Organization.

This audience with the President of the Republic is part of the Director-General’s official visit to Tunisia, where he is set to meet with the Tunisian Ministers of Culture, Higher Education, Education, and Foreign Affairs, in addition to a series of meetings with a host of intellectuals and activists from “Beït Al-Hikma” in Tunis.

In attendance were Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of the Culture Sector, and Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector.