Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, H.E. Abdoulaye Idrissa Maïga, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting, which saw the presence of H.E. Salaheddine Mezouar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, explored prospects for joint development initiatives in light of the security, educational, and human development challenges facing countries in the African Sahel region.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s steadfast commitment to promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and intercultural dialogue as core pillars of the Organization’s strategic vision. He highlighted several flagship initiatives implemented by ICESCO in this regard, including the award-winning “360° Peace” initiative, the Encyclopedia for Deconstructing Extremist Discourse developed in partnership with the Mohammadia League of Scholars in Morocco, the publication of ‘‘Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa’’, and the Leadership Training Programme in Peace and Security (LTIPS), which has trained more than 180 young men and women from 68 countries, who were selected to serve as ICESCO’s Peace Ambassadors.

For his part, Mr. Maïga expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s efforts in fostering peace and security through education, science, and culture. He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with the Organization in initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the Sahel region.

At the close of the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue coordination on developing a joint initiative focused on peacebuilding and sustainability, contributing to regional and international efforts to support stability and development in the region.

In attendance from ICESCO were Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; and Dr. Abdoulaye Al Maïga, expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.