The 46th session of the Executive Council of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) kicked off Wednesday morning, 6 May 2026. The session is being held in person at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat and remotely, with the participation of representatives of 44 Member States.

The opening session began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the address of Dr. Dawas Tayseer Rashid Dawas, Chairman of the ICESCO Executive Council, wherein he stressed that the convening of this session comes amid an international context marked by uncertainty and an increasing number of challenges and transformations, which calls for intensified efforts and unified visions to enhance the effectiveness of the Organization’s work and consolidate its position as a leading center of expertise in its fields of competence.

Dr. Dawas added that holding the session remotely reflects ICESCO’s commitment to the continuity of multilateral, participatory action and demonstrates its ability to adapt to rapid changes and unforeseen developments while maintaining the quality of institutional performance. He also underlined the importance of the electoral nature of this session, which reinforces the principles of transparency and responsible rotation in leadership roles.

For his part, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, affirmed that the Organization is continuing its renewal- and modernization-driven approach, giving it a comprehensive, practice-oriented outlook and strengthening its standing among leading international organizations. He noted that ICESCO has recently obtained around fifteen accreditations and certifications across various fields, in addition to being accredited as a creative organization and an evaluator of creativity.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO looks forward in the coming years to exceptional engagement from the Member States, explaining that the next session will witness the development of a strategy that goes beyond phased planning to anticipate post-2030 requirements. In this context, he pointed out that ICESCO has taken the initiative to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into the core of its Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and to link them directly to its institutional governance framework and decision-making mechanisms.

The Director-General further explained that the preparation of this strategy was not based solely on data analysis of international indicators and global reports, but also drew on direct deliberations with relevant officials and experts. He noted that the logic of sustainable development stems from an understanding of evolving civilizational, cultural, and social contexts, making flexibility a key feature of planning and enabling positive course adjustments in line with global transformations.

Following the opening session, working sessions commenced, featuring presentations by a number of ICESCO leaders on activity reports of the Organization’s sectors, divisions, and specialized centers. The sessions will also include the election of the new Chair of the Executive Council, the Council Bureau, and new members of the Financial Control Committee. In addition, the sessions will examine the request of the Republic of Turkmenistan to join the Organization as an Observer State and discuss the Organization’s Draft Strategic Plan 2026–2029.