The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) announced a project to establish ICESCO-Al-Farabi Center for Science Diplomacy at the University’s campus in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Center aims to advance sustainable South-South and triangular cooperation among Africa, Asia, and the Arab world, while strengthening ICESCO’s presence in Central Asia.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday, 21 September 2026, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Samgat Yermekbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of KazNU. The signing took place on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York City as part of the Science Summit 2026.

Under the memorandum, the Center will train a new generation of science diplomats in ICESCO Member States and implement a range of annual programs, initiatives, and forums. It will serve as a platform for triangular cooperation and knowledge exchange connecting Africa, Asia, and the Arab world. The Center will also provide scientific advice to ICESCO, its Member States, and their National Commissions on policy development in science diplomacy.

A joint steering committee comprising representatives of ICESCO and KazNU will oversee the Center, supported by an international advisory board of distinguished scientists. ICESCO will also provide technical support and the necessary expertise and facilitate cooperation across its network of Member States.