Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater, Qatari Minister of Education and Higher Education, on the sidelines of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), hosted in Doha. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the State of Qatar in education, higher education, and innovation.

Dr. AlMalik opened the meeting, held on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, by expressing his deep appreciation for the outstanding organization of WISE, which featured enriching lectures and sessions, attracting over 4,500 participants from various countries. He stressed that the quality of content and organization reflects Qatar’s leadership in the educational field.

The two sides explored areas of joint cooperation to support educational initiatives for poor and war-affected countries, enhancing quality educational programs, and developing higher education systems, in addition to capacity-building and knowledge exchange. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik presented several ICESCO programs, including greening education, support for Quranic schools in Africa, and initiatives for educational innovation and youth skills development.

As part of strengthening future partnership, Dr. AlMalik proposed that Qatar host ICESCO’s Conference of Ministers of Education in the Islamic World, to be held concurrently with the next edition of the WISE Summit, thereby expanding international dialogue on education issues.

Dr. AlMalik invited the Minister to attend the launch ceremony of the “Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index,” organized by ICESCO, in Baku on 8–9 December.

In the context of cooperation on capacity-building, the two parties discussed the possibility of training a group of young professionals from Qatar within ICESCO’s sectors, enabling them to gain practical experience in international work, learn about the mechanisms of work at multilateral organizations, and enhance their participation in global development pathways.