Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated on Friday, 13 November 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye, in high-level session titled “Solidarity for Climate Resilience: Challenges and Opportunities.” Organized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as part of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), the session brought together ministers and officials from international organizations.

The event opened with remarks by Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, who stressed that solidarity in building resilience is a cornerstone of the collective response to the impacts of climate change, which has become a reality threatening food and water security, public health, and livelihoods.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s participation in COP31, where the Organization is holding more than 50 activities in partnership with its Member States, international organizations, and institutions engaged in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. He also reviewed ICESCO’s initiatives, including the ICESCO Youth Climate Leaders Initiative and the “First Standards and Guidelines for Greening Curricula in Islamic World,” developed in cooperation with the Cambridge University Press & Assessment in the United Kingdom to support national efforts to integrate climate knowledge and environmental stewardship into school curricula.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik discussed the ICESCO satellite, which the Organization is seeking to launch to serve its Member States in the fields of climate change, education, and scientific research, as well as the Climate Resilience Fund, set to launch in the near future. Dr. AlMalik further proposed establishing a dedicated pavilion for the OIC and its affiliated organizations and institutions at every United Nations climate change conference.

The event also featured remarks by Mr. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia; Mr. Hasan Suver, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye; Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH); Ms. Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC); Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS); and Dr. Issa Faye, Director General for Global Practice and Partnerships at the Islamic Development Bank Group.