Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that the credibility of international cooperation rests on translating commitments into actions that make a tangible difference in people’s daily lives, noting that institutions earn the trust of communities through the progress they deliver.

He made these remarks during the 3rd High-Level Meeting of International Organizations and the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Baku Process, held by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. The meetings brought together 45 ministers, ambassadors, heads of international organizations, and other officials, including Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the UNAOC.

Dr. AlMalik began his address by highlighting the role of the two meetings in providing a platform for ministries and international organizations to coordinate efforts, find solutions to shared challenges, and direct resources towards national priorities and the service of peoples. He called on ministries to focus on establishing a proactive, prevention-based approach to peacebuilding in order to protect lives and safeguard the foundations of development. He also highlighted the role of educational and cultural programs developed by international organizations in equipping young people with future-ready skills to contribute to the development of their communities and strengthen spiritual and civilizational values and cultural exchange.

Dr. AlMalik explained that the Organization seeks to promote the responsible use of AI technologies in its fields of competence through several initiatives. These include the Riyadh Charter on AI Ethics for the Islamic World, launched in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA); the ICESCO AI Index for the Islamic World, developed in cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education; and the announcement of the 10K Leaders Training Program, in partnership with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. AlMalik proposed aligning international organizations’ programs with countries’ national needs by developing a joint roadmap for education, science, culture, and AI governance, as well as establishing a course of action for implementing policies and involving young people in the process. He concluded his address by commending His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan for their support for the Baku Process.