Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Bahram Jan Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The meeting reviewed areas of joint cooperation and followed up on the implementation of the roadmap adopted two years ago, including the programs, initiatives, and qualitative projects delivered within its framework.

During the meeting, held on Monday, 22 June 2026, in Tashkent, the Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister commended ICESCO’s role and the level of fruitful cooperation with Uzbekistan. He highlighted the success achieved under the Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025 programme, along with the distinguished cultural, intellectual, and scientific activities organized. He also praised the efforts of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Committee, which led to the inscription and recognition of several archaeological sites and tangible and intangible heritage elements, in addition to organizing specialized conferences and programs that showcase the civilizational and cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

Mr. Aliyev stressed the importance of continuing and expanding this cooperation to include new areas that serve shared cultural and developmental priorities, expressing Uzbekistan’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with ICESCO across fields of mutual interest.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik expressed appreciation for the support and attention extended to ICESCO by the leadership of the Republic of Uzbekistan, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to implementing all components of the agreed roadmap and advancing toward broader cooperation in education, science, culture, heritage, and capacity building.

He also noted that his current visit is to participate in the International Maqam Art Festival, which will be held in Namangan, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He added that ICESCO will present a number of flagship initiatives during the forum that align with its objectives, supporting its areas of work and contributing to enhanced international cooperation and sustainable development.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere thanks to Mr. Bahram Aliyev for the warm welcome and hospitality, and for his commitment to advancing cooperation between the two sides in a manner that serves shared interests and strengthens cultural and civilizational action in the Islamic world.