Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Yuri Otlev, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Adygea of the Russian Federation, to discuss prospects for building joint cooperation in the fields of culture, heritage preservation and valorization, support for scientific research, and environmental action.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Ms. Bella Khakunova, Advisor to the Head of the Republic of Adygea, Dr. AlMalik presented a historical overview of the Organization, its areas of work, and its key programs, initiatives, and projects benefiting its Member States. He commended the development of bilateral relations with Russia, which holds observer status at ICESCO, and noted that the Organization is celebrating the city of Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World this year.

The Director-General expressed his aspiration to build a successful partnership between the two sides, similar to the distinguished cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan. He affirmed that such bilateral cooperation would open broader horizons for Adygea with the Islamic world. In this context, he expressed ICESCO’s readiness to host and organize a number of forums and events to promote Circassian culture and heritage and the Muslim peoples of the Caucasus region.

For his part, Mr. Otlev expressed the ministry’s keenness to establish joint cooperation with ICESCO, given its leading role in the educational, scientific, and cultural fields in the Islamic world.

The meeting also discussed a number of proposed programs and projects to be implemented in the areas of culture, support for creative industries, science and environment, youth empowerment, and preparation for future professions, as well as the possibility of Adygea hosting several of ICESCO’s annual conferences.

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Mr. Otlev and his delegation on a tour of the Sultan Qaboos Library and the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, hosted at ICESCO headquarters.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Dr. Kuanysh Yergaliyev, Head of the Science and Environment Sector.