Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Joseph Ahanhanzo, Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and Benin in education and heritage preservation.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Mr. Ahanhanzo on his accreditation as Ambassador of Benin to Morocco, wishing him success in his mission.

Dr. AlMalik outlined ICESCO’s vision, strategic orientations, and its key programs and activities in education, science, culture, and communication, highlighting the structural reforms undertaken to keep pace with global developments and the integration of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies into its areas of action.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik noted that the Organization had successfully implemented several programs and initiatives in Benin in recent years, including projects on peace and civilizational dialogue, and initiatives to promote the rights of children with disabilities through artistic and cultural activities. Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s readiness to hire outstanding talents from Benin to work within the Organization.

For his part, Mr. Ahanhanzo commended ICESCO’s role in advancing education, science, and culture across the Islamic world, expressing his country’s eagerness to strengthen cooperation with the Organization and benefit from its expertise, particularly in artificial intelligence.

The meeting also discussed arrangements for implementing the “Educational and Social Support Project for Internally Displaced Girls and Boarders” in Benin, which ICESCO launched last February in Burkina Faso, as well as future cooperation projects on integrating artificial intelligence into education and safeguarding and promoting heritage and archaeological sites.