The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reaffirmed the importance of digital technologies in achieving sustainable development and strengthening economic and social security during a workshop organized by the Organization’s Sector of Science and Environment under the theme: “The Role of Digital Technologies in Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Spotlight on SMEs and Cooperatives.”

Held virtually on Monday, 3 November 2025, the workshop brought together over 50 experts and specialists. Representatives from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ZeroE company, and the Act4Community initiative of Morocco’s OCP Group, alongside local sustainability experts, contributed to the session.

In his address, Professor Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Sector of Science and Environment, stressed the need to make technologies accessible to all and to adapt them to local contexts. He highlighted the pivotal role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives in driving sustainable growth and enhancing economic and social security.

As part of the workshop proceedings, a discussion session was moderated by Dr. Issam Krimi, Dr. Adel Smaida, and Dr. Fahman Fath Al-Rahman, experts from the Sector of Science and Environment. The session explored the challenges and enablers to technology adoption among resource-limited institutions.

The workshop also examined several key themes, including strategies for leveraging open data to help SMEs and cooperatives meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and expand into global markets. It further presented a case study from Safi, Morocco, showcasing how digital tools can be utilized to enhance competitiveness and ensure compliance with sustainability requirements.