The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen joint efforts in safeguarding cultural heritage across ICESCO Member States. The MoU was signed on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at ICESCO headquarters, by ICESCO Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and the Chair of the ALIPH Foundation Board, Ms. Bariza Khiari.

The MoU provides for strengthening institutional partnership with the aim of implementing a number of projects and initiatives geared towards reducing the number of properties within the Islamic world inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. It also provides for promoting cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection, particularly in regions affected by conflicts and climate change.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stated that the MoU reflects ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening international efforts to protect cultural heritage in the Islamic world, especially in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters and climate change. He added that cooperating with ALIPH Foundation opens up new prospects to support Member States in building their capacities and implementing field projects with sustainable impact.

For her part, Ms. Bariza Khiari expressed her appreciation for partnership with ICESCO, noting that the Foundation looks forward to pooling efforts and exchanging expertise in order to protect heritage that faces unprecedented challenges due to conflict and climate change. She added that heritage protection does not only mean protecting monuments and landmarks but also safeguarding memory and identity.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will develop joint practical projects to assess and restore sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, share expertise and best practices, conduct field-training programs to build local capacities active in heritage management and conservation, and enhance cooperation in cultural heritage protection.

The agreement also provides for the creation of a joint working group to oversee the implementation of agreed projects and monitor the progress of the joint programs.