Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Branly Martial Oupolo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Gabon to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss mechanisms for implementing joint projects and programs in education, science, and culture, and for promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and dialogue.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik emphasized the importance of building on the outcomes of his meeting with H.E General Brice Oligui Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, in January 2024 in Libreville, by translating understandings into impactful programs. Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s readiness to employ its experts to train educational and cultural personnel in Gabon and to support its institutions in curriculum development and skills enhancement.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik outlined to Ambassador Oupolo a number of initiatives ICESCO has carried out in Gabon, including a project for literacy and economic empowerment of girls and women, and programs for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. He noted that ICESCO is exploring, in cooperation with Gabonese authorities, the possibility of establishing a regional office in Libreville and of hosting one of ICESCO’s Executive Council sessions in the Gabonese capital.

For his part, the Gabonese Ambassador reiterated his country’s willingness to expand cooperation with ICESCO and launch joint initiatives and programs. He stressed the importance of continuous communication between the Organization and Gabon’s National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture to coordinate priorities and develop an implementation plan, particularly for programs aimed at safeguarding heritage and cultural identity, and integrating technology and artificial intelligence applications into the educational process.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Head of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences; and Mr. Alioune Ndiaye, Head of the Peace Division in the Social and Human Sciences Sector.