The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has called for strengthening international cooperation with a view to achieving a common vision of peace and sustainable development, as well as defining the priorities necessary to achieve this.

This took place during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan. ICESCO was represented by Ms. Somia Djacta, Head of the ICESCO Delegation to UNESCO, representing the Director-General of the Organization, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, to discuss international priorities in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication.

In her speech to the plenary session, Ms. Djacta reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with UNESCO and the international community to achieve common development goals. She highlighted four priorities in this regard: supporting teacher training and modernizing curricula; preserving cultural heritage as a pillar of dialogue, unity, and creative diversity; mobilizing education, science, and culture to address climate change; and strengthening digital inclusion through the ethical use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

Ms. Djacta also reiterated ICESCO’s continued solidarity with Palestine, calling on the international community to protect civilians, guarantee the right to education, and preserve human rights and dignity for all. She emphasized that education, culture, and science are effective tools for reducing violence and strengthening human security.

The ICESCO representative concluded her speech by expressing the Organization’s willingness to work closely with UNESCO and all partners to accelerate the implementation of joint projects aimed at promoting peace, knowledge, and human development, specifying that the conclusions of the current session will be translated into concrete programs in ICESCO Member States.