The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties, with the aim of implementing joint programs to support the education sector in Sudan and vulnerable groups in Syria, and to enhance cooperation in development media.

This came during a coordination meeting held on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, at the headquarters of the Arab Open University in Riyadh, bringing together Dr. Barakat Al Wegyan, Head of the Communication Division at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, and Hammam bin Juraid, CEO of AGFUND.

During the meeting, the two sides underlined the importance of media and communication as key instruments in supporting the implementation of joint development programs and the role of development media in documenting the impact of these programs in advancing communities and strengthening international partnerships. They also discussed the possibility of implementing training programs for journalists and content creators in the Member States.

The two parties agreed to maintain coordination and to hold an expanded meeting at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat to examine mechanisms for implementing the proposed programs and initiatives.

In a related context, Dr. Barakat Al Wegyan discussed with Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Zakari, President of the Arab Open University, prospects for joint cooperation, particularly in implementing specialized training programs through the University’s branches in several Arab countries.