The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Al Akhawayn University in the Kingdom of Morocco announced a project to establish the “Ibn Battuta-ICESCO Center for Science Diplomacy” at the University’s campus in Ifrane, Morocco. The Center aims to advance scientific cooperation among Africa, Asia, and the Arab world, and help ICESCO Member States harness scientific knowledge in diplomacy and policymaking.

In this regard, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Amine Bensaid, President of Al Akhawayn University, signed the project’s memorandum of understanding, on Monday, 21 September 2026, on the sidelines of the Science Summit 2026, in New York, United States.

The project aims to leverage scientific cooperation to address cross-border challenges, including climate change, water and food security, public health, artificial intelligence governance, energy transition, and cultural heritage preservation. It also seeks to expand ICESCO’s presence in North Africa, consolidate its institutional partnership with Morocco, and establish a sustainable mechanism for South-South and triangular cooperation.

The Center will undertake three complementary functions. These include establishing a knowledge platform to train a new generation of diplomats specializing in scientific affairs and scientists engaged in diplomacy; launching a platform for academic and scientific cooperation and exchange, including joint field missions and an annual high-level forum; and providing scientific advice to ICESCO and its Member States in support of policymaking and decision-making.

A steering board, jointly chaired by ICESCO and Al Akhawayn University, will oversee the Center, with the participation of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture and Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation. It will also receive guidance from an International Advisory Council, comprising a host of scholars and practitioners from Africa, Asia, and the Arab world.