Dr. AlMalik: Integrating education within development policies is a sine qua non for achieving social justice

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that achieving development and social justice requires grasping new global trends, namely the integration of education within development and planning policies, in line with the digital transformation revolution and artificial intelligence applications.

This is part of a speech he delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the opening session of the 10th International Parliamentary Forum on Social Justice, organized in Rabat under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, by the House of Councilors in Morocco, in partnership with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, under the theme “Social Justice in a Transforming World: The Need for Equitable Policies for More Resilient Societies,” with the participation of government officials, MPs, and international figures.

The ICESCO Director-General stated that fast-evolving international trends require a fundamental change in education systems and curricula by adopting a scientific vision capable of accommodating the developments and challenges of the digital world in a way that enhances opportunities for social integration and reduces emerging gaps.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that social justice may not come true if manifestations of fragility continue to expand within societies that previously witnessed some degree of stability, calling for more realistic, bold, and creative social policies, and for more effective parliamentary roles in orienting and accompanying such policies and measuring their impact.

He further affirmed that strengthening international cooperation is a key element in confronting common challenges such as terrorism, illegal immigration, and climate and environmental crises. He stressed the importance of tackling these issues with the logic of balanced partnerships and responsibility sharing.

The ICESCO Director-General also called for pooling efforts to determine the nature of the challenges facing the region, and adopting an approach that considers social and economic issues as common ones, praising in this regard the approach of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, at the official and parliamentary levels, in building partnerships and developing tools for joint action.