New York: 22 September 2026

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the fields of science, technology, innovation, higher education, and science diplomacy. The agreement aims to develop initiatives, programs, and partnerships that contribute to sustainable development and strengthen international scientific cooperation.

The agreement was signed on Monday, 21 September 2026, in New York City, United States of America, on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy and Global Cooperation, held as part of the 2026 Science Summit. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Saule Sagintayeva, President of Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University in Kazakhstan, representing the Ministry.

The agreement identifies several key areas of cooperation, notably science diplomacy; the advancement of research excellence, innovation ecosystems, and advanced technologies; capacity-building and human capital development through training programs and academic cooperation; harnessing science for sustainable development; and institutional cooperation among universities, research centers, and centers of excellence.

Under the agreement, cooperation between the two parties will also include developing joint programs, projects, and initiatives; establishing platforms, networks, observatories, and institutional centers to advance scientific cooperation and innovation; organizing conferences, forums, and training workshops; and exchanging experts, data, and best practices.