Every year, on 8 September, the world celebrates International Literacy Day, observed this year under the theme: “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.” On this occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reaffirms its full and continued commitment to supporting its Member States and their national efforts to improve and develop education, considering it a pillar for safeguarding human dignity, promoting equal opportunities, achieving sustainable development, and spreading the values of peace and tolerance.

Within the framework of the ICESCO Strategic Plan 2026-2029, the Organization reaffirms its commitment to bringing about a fundamental transformation in the education sector across the Islamic world through programs and projects with tangible impact, including the launch of the “Global Dashboard for Monitoring Progress in Green Education,” the “International Professional Teaching Certification Project,” the “Girl Dropout Reintegration Project”, and the ICESCO Digital Library.
ICESCO calls on governments, educational institutions, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to work towards ensuring education for all, alongside efforts to build teachers’ capacities, modernize curricula, provide digital learning tools and alternative education mechanisms, and address the issue of school dropout.

In this context, many learners in several ICESCO Member States face numerous barriers that prevent them from receiving a quality education, most notably poverty, discrimination based on gender and special needs, challenges associated with climate change, and limited digital resources. These challenges require urgent and collective action to ensure that all segments of society acquire the life skills necessary for learning, working, and contributing to their communities.

In conclusion, ICESCO renews its full commitment to working with countries within and beyond the Islamic world to make literacy a pathway towards improving the quality of education, developing human capital, and achieving peace and prosperity.