On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, in New York City.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed initiatives and programs in which ICESCO’s areas of work intersect with those of UNAOC. They also discussed ways to further develop joint cooperation in promoting a culture of dialogue and fostering understanding among followers of different religions, as well as combating hate speech and addressing Islamophobia.

The meeting also addressed preparations for the International Conference on Interreligious Dialogue, scheduled to be held during the final third of October, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ICESCO and UNAOC.

Both sides emphasized the importance of active participation in the conference and of ensuring that its outcomes contribute to fostering the values of coexistence and mutual respect, while strengthening the role of dialogue in building peace.