Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Marco Lucchesi, President of the National Library of Brazil, to explore ways and mechanisms for cooperation in promoting dialogue among civilizations between the Islamic world and Latin American countries, translating and publishing books and other works, protecting and promoting heritage and manuscripts, building youth’s capacities in the cultural field, and fostering a culture of peace.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, was attended by Mr. Alexandre Guido Lopes Parola, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Kingdom of Morocco. Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to facilitate the exchange of expertise among its Member States and underscored the importance the Organization attaches to cooperation with Brazil, an Observer Member of ICESCO, in the fields of culture, literature, and academic exchange. This cooperation reflects ICESCO’s approach of openness and engagement with all.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s willingness to cooperate in developing programs and projects to promote reading among children in the most underserved countries and raise young people’s awareness of their cultural identity and strengthen their pride in it. He also proposed jointly organizing seminars and workshops to foster civilizational exchange and peace between the Islamic world and Latin America, with the participation of thinkers and philosophers from both sides.

For his part, Dr. Marco Lucchesi outlined the history of the National Library of Brazil, one of the world’s leading libraries, which houses 10 million books. He expressed the Library’s willingness to exchange expertise and books on the history and civilization of the Islamic world with ICESCO’s Sultan Qaboos Library, collaborate on translating a range of books and other works, and support ICESCO’s digital library.

Following the meeting, the Brazilian delegation toured the Sultan Qaboos Library, where its members viewed the Library’s modern facilities, books, and cultural and knowledge resources. They also visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector and Supervisor of the Translation and Publishing Center; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector; Dr. Webber Ndoro, Head of the Islamic World Heritage Center; and Dr. Hani Albalawi, Expert at the Center for Civilizational Dialogue.