Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a conference on Students’ Mental Health and Well-being on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, at its headquarters in Rabat, under the theme “From Understanding Challenges to Collective Action.” The event was organized in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, Vocational Training and Qualification of the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Sciences and Culture, as part of the celebration of World Mental Health Day.

The conference opened with remarks by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector, Supervisor of the Translation and Publishing Center. He stressed that approaches to mental health must not be limited to healthcare but must encompass education, family support, culture, sports and inclusive policies. He explained that schools and families share responsibility for providing safe and supportive environments where children can express their concerns and seek help.

The representative of Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool, Vocational Training and Qualification underscored the importance of mental health as an essential factor in students’ development and active participation in public life, particularly amid rapid social and digital transformations and the new pressures and challenges they bring.

For her part, Dr. Fatima Abouali, President of the Moroccan Anti-Doping Agency, highlighted the individual and collective responsibility to safeguard health as the foundation of contribution and psychological well-being. She also emphasized the need to uphold the integrity of sports and combat doping to protect health and ensure equal opportunities.

Following, Mr. Karim Hamidouche, Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Sciences and Culture, touched on the importance of investing in mental health as a direct investment in building more resilient people equipped to confront challenges. Additionally, Ms. Hafida Boumarouane, representative of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, stressed that mental health is a fundamental human right, noting that most mental disorders begin before the age of 14, making childhood and adolescence critical stages.

Mr. Yassine Souidi, representative of the UNFPA, commended the conference for reaffirming the school’s role as a space for learning and thriving, and the family’s role as a supportive and empowering partner, enabling young people to develop their capacities.

The conference also featured panel discussions with the participation of officials and representatives of government and non-governmental bodies, organizations and civil society institutions. The discussions addressed ways to strengthen listening, dialogue, prevention and support for children, and to build trust and genuine partnership between families and educational institutions.

The conference concluded with Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, and representatives of the official partners announcing details of the fourth edition of the ICESCO Marathon, scheduled to take place on 31 October 2026 in Rabat.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the international symposium “Calligraphy and Manuscript Terminology: Theory and Practice” on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at its headquarters in Rabat, in cooperation with the Hassania Royal Library in Rabat and the Sunni Endowment Diwan of the Republic of Iraq. The event brought together leading experts and researchers specializing in calligraphy and manuscripts from several countries across the Islamic world.

The symposium featured 12 academic papers by researchers from Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Morocco. It aimed to examine terminological issues at the intersection of calligraphy and manuscript studies and advance specialized research and scholarship on terminology.

The opening session began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an address by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General. He underscored the importance of preserving manuscripts as a living memory bearing the imprint of the hand that wrote them and the mind that created them. He stressed that safeguarding this heritage begins with understanding it and standardizing its terminology, and that the loss of a single manuscript undermines future generations’ right to know their history.

Dr. AlMalik also highlighted scholars’ early recognition of the need to define meanings and terminology and facilitate their transmission across generations. He emphasized the responsibility of all who value knowledge to reconnect this heritage with academic life and reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to protect it from deterioration and make it accessible to researchers. He called for the symposium to serve as a genuine starting point for establishing a shared terminological reference and launching integrated manuscript cataloguing and digitization projects.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binebine, Curator of the Hassania Royal Library in Rabat, highlighted the symposium’s importance in addressing a complex subject, explaining that the study of terminology is the first step and a solid foundation for academic research. In the context of codicology, Dr. Binebine noted that neither classical nor modern dictionaries adequately help researchers interpret and decipher many manuscript terms. He provided examples illustrating the issue and pointed out that dozens of terms remain unexplained in dictionaries.

The symposium, moderated by Dr. Ahmed Abdel Basset, expert at ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscripts Center, featured three academic sessions chaired respectively by Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binebine; Dr. Idham Muhammad Hanash, Head of the Calligraphy and Manuscripts Center; and Dr. Murad Al-Rifi, Director of the Arabization Coordination Bureau in Rabat. A distinguished group of researchers and academics delivered presentations covering issues and terminology related to Arabic calligraphy, manuscripts and textual editing.

They also traced the historical development of these terms and examined their linguistic, technical and aesthetic meanings, with a focus on contemporary efforts to unify and standardize them and address related artistic and technical challenges.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in the international conference titled “Islamic Civilization: The Great Spiritual and Scientific Heritage of Uzbekistan, New Prospects for Enlightenment and Dialogue Among Civilizations,” held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that Islamic civilization is a civilization of peace, fraternity, culture and science. He described it as a deeply rooted and enduring civilization distinguished by its consistent openness to all, highlighting the Islamic world’s lasting contribution to the advancement of knowledge, science, education, culture and human thought.

The ICESCO Director-General underscored the importance of heritage as a bridge connecting cultures, generations and civilizations. He also emphasized the pivotal role of education, science, culture and intercultural dialogue in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening international cooperation.

In closing, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting initiatives that safeguard cultural heritage, foster knowledge exchange, and contribute to establishing a culture of peace and dialogue among civilizations.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen institutional cooperation at the international and regional levels in implementing pioneering initiatives in education, science, artificial intelligence, communication, and knowledge dissemination, as well as supporting Member States in developing sustainable policies to promote cultural diversity, safeguard heritage, and build inclusive societies.

The memorandum was signed on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in Paris, France, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General. The two organizations reaffirmed commitment to working together to establish peace, achieve development, and build fair and inclusive societies by promoting knowledge, strengthening women’s capacities, encouraging intercultural dialogue, and ensuring quality education for all.

Dr. AlMalik stated that the memorandum of cooperation reflects ICESCO’s conviction that greater integration is needed among international organizations working in education, science, and culture. He noted that coordinated efforts and bilateral cooperation create boundless opportunities to overcome future challenges facing these organizations as they pursue their noble missions.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. El-Enany held a bilateral meeting, during which they discussed the possibility of cooperating in organizing an international conference and exhibition on Islamic art to introduce its components and highlight its diversity and richness. They also emphasized the importance of implementing joint programs and launching initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence and capacity building for youth in the Islamic world, in addition to pursuing close cooperation and the exchange of expertise to support countries most in need.

In education, the memorandum provides for initiatives to strengthen education and higher education systems, support green and digital education and education transformation efforts, build the capacities of faculty members, develop dropout prevention strategies, and expand access to early childhood education.

In the field of science and technology, the memorandum focuses on cooperation to advance artificial intelligence ethics and digital transformation, encourage innovation, support entrepreneurship and technology transfer, and develop capacity-building initiatives. It also covers the implementation of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) and enhanced cooperation in water management, particularly in Africa and the disadvantaged countries.

In culture, the memorandum covers follow-up on the priorities of the MONDIACULT 2025 Outcome Document, the protection of cultural rights, the promotion of cultural diversity, and the safeguarding of endangered and underwater heritage. It also addresses solutions to the challenges posed by climate change and illicit trafficking in cultural property, as well as the advancement of cultural policies and creative industries.

In peacebuilding and crisis response, the memorandum provides for cooperation to strengthen social cohesion, counter disinformation and all forms of discrimination, and support vulnerable communities through several programs, foremost among them ICESCO’s Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) Program.

The agreement is part of the general agreement between ICESCO and UNESCO, signed in July 1985 and renewed in 2010, 2015, and 2019.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in the People’s Republic of China inaugurated the Center for Arab Cultural Studies at the University. The Center marks the culmination of the strong partnership between ICESCO and BLCU and aims to foster closer academic and cultural ties between the Islamic world and China.

The Center was inaugurated on Monday, 28 September 2026, during a visit to the University by a delegation from ICESCO, led by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Organization. During the visit, the two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation to implement several joint initiatives in scientific research, Arabic-Chinese translation, and scholarships, as well as to establish academic and scientific platforms for civilizational dialogue between China and the Islamic world.

The new Center aims to advance specialized academic research on the Arabic language, its history, civilization, and societies. It will also serve as a research hub supporting joint scientific studies, publishing specialized research and publications, and convening high-level academic forums. In addition, it will promote academic exchange and facilitate visits by researchers and scholars between universities and research institutions in China and the Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Wutong Chair Professor at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in China, delivered his first lecture to the University’s faculty and students. This marked his first academic engagement following his appointment to the University’s highest academic position, in recognition of his academic standing, distinguished leadership career, and contributions to promoting international cooperation and building bridges of civilizational communication between the Islamic world and China.

During the lecture, delivered on Monday, 28 September 2026, at the University in Beijing under the title “Higher Education and Science Diplomacy,” Dr. AlMalik stressed the need for Global South countries to adopt knowledge-based development and become partners in knowledge creation. He highlighted ICESCO’s use of science diplomacy to foster effective cooperation among its Member States and scientific and research institutions, address shared challenges, and build knowledge- and innovation-based societies by developing young people’s capacities and providing student exchange programs and educational scholarships.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Islamic world’s role in pioneering the university as a beacon of learning, noting that Fatima al-Fihri founded Al Quaraouiyine University in 859 in Fez, Morocco, attracting scholars from around the world. Dr. AlMalik demonstrated the importance of individuals and scholars in advancing knowledge. He explained that academic mobility is part of the Islamic world’s heritage, citing the journey of Ibn Battuta, who traveled more than 100,000 kilometers in pursuit of knowledge. He called for reviving this longstanding tradition while enabling qualifications and skills to cross borders as easily as their holders do.

Moreover, the ICESCO Director-General discussed the Silk Road between the Islamic world and China, noting that it carried not only silk but also ideas and innovations in both directions. He underscored the importance of sustaining this approach through the New Silk Road initiative. Addressing a new map for higher education, Dr. AlMalik stressed the need to develop universities in the Global South so that they contribute to knowledge creation and become academic destinations.

Subsequently, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s initiatives in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and youth capacity-building. He proposed several avenues for cooperation with BLCU, including launching the Ibn Battuta Academic Mobility Program; ICESCO Digital Qualifications Passport, a facilitated student visa pathway; Silk Road Universities Network; Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Alliance for Education, and Science Diplomacy Academy.

In closing, Dr. AlMalik affirmed that enabling knowledge to reach its full potential would advance human civilization through joint efforts by scholars from Global South countries to disseminate knowledge, promote peace, manage resources, and strengthen dialogue among civilizations.

Memorandum Covers Cooperation in Fields of Civilizational Dialogue, Arabic Studies, Translation, Artificial Intelligence, and Scholarships

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has signed a cooperation memorandum with Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) of the People’s Republic of China, with the aim of implementing joint initiatives in the fields of scientific research, translation between Arabic and Chinese, scholarships, as well as the establishment of academic platforms for civilizational dialogue between China and the Islamic world.

The Memorandum was signed on Monday, 28 September 2026, at the BLCU’s headquarters in Beijing by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Duan Peng, President of BLCU, as part of Dr. AlMalik’s visit to the University at the head of an ICESCO delegation.

The Memorandum’s action plan includes several key initiatives, most notably the establishment of a joint Chair for civilizational dialogue, aimed at drawing on the BLCU’s academic expertise in Chinese civilizational thought; the launch of a joint program for translation between Arabic, Chinese, English, and French; a youth capacity-building program; and a project on artificial intelligence and the Arabic language. It also includes the publication of a Chinese-language edition of the ICESCO Multilingual Data and Artificial Intelligence Dictionary.

The Memorandum also provides for cooperation in promoting academic research and developing joint knowledge platforms; implementing joint research projects and forums focusing on civilizational exchange between China and the Islamic world; supporting youth exchange and skills development programs; launching a scholarship program; and advancing research into language models for artificial intelligence, in addition to cooperation in the field of mental health.

Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Salim AlMalik stressed, during his bilateral meeting with Dr. Duan Peng, the importance of the partnership with BLCU, one of China’s oldest universities specializing in culture and teaching. The University is known as a “the mini United Nations” due to the diversity of its student body, which comes from countries around the world. The two sides also discussed ways to implement the programs and initiatives set out in the Memorandum and advance their partnership towards closer cooperation in pursuit of their shared objectives.

The ICESCO DG also held a separate meeting with several university professors to discuss practical ways of implementing the initiatives and programs undertaken by ICESCO and BLCU.

It is worth noting that, since its establishment, BLCU has been committed to promoting the Chinese language and culture worldwide. It is one of the leading universities specializing in languages and the world’s largest center for Chinese language teaching.

In the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, delivered an address during the main session of the 12th St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum. He highlighted culture’s role in Fostering communication and dialogue among peoples and overcoming political and economic challenges.

In his address, delivered on Friday, 25 September 2026, and attended by a number of senior officials, ministers, and heads of international organizations, President Putin highlighted Russia’s cultural and linguistic diversity throughout history as a space for civilizational exchange. He affirmed that the unity of peoples is founded on the cohesion of societies in their distinctiveness, and that shared values lie in respect for dignity, historical memory, creativity, constructive work, and diversity of perspectives.

President Putin also highlighted Russia’s international standing in academic and cultural education, reviewing his country’s efforts to integrate classical education with modern technologies.

It is worth noting that the St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, held this year under the theme “United Cultures, Common Values,” brings together representatives of 70 countries. It seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, promote cultural diversity, preserve heritage, and foster cooperation in the fields of culture and the arts. The Forum also discusses issues relating to the contemporary cultural landscape across countries, nationalities, and disciplines, while facilitating the exchange of views and knowledge on achieving a balance between cultural identity and modern technologies, strengthening cultural sovereignty amid contemporary challenges, and developing educational curricula in creative fields.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at the Office’s headquarters in New York City, United States.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives and programs and their tangible results across its Member States. He underscored the Organization’s commitment to expanding its international partnerships and sharing successful expertise in support of sustainable development efforts and a stronger standing for countries of the Global South in shaping future solutions.

For her part, Ms. Al-Khatib expressed appreciation for ICESCO’s qualitative programs and commended the rapid progress it has made across its areas of action. She also invited ICESCO to join the “Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation,” an international platform that connects development needs with available expertise and opportunities and scales up successful solutions across countries of the Global South.

The meeting also addressed ICESCO’s potential membership in the “South-South Global Thinkers” initiative, a global coalition of think tank networks that enriches public policy dialogue, facilitates knowledge exchange, and promotes perspectives from the Global South on international development issues.

Both sides stressed the importance of building institutional cooperation that harnesses ICESCO’s capacities and extensive network across its Member States, contributes to youth and women empowerment, strengthens development solidarity, and transforms shared knowledge into initiatives with sustainable impact.

At the close of the meeting, Ms. Al-Khatib thanked Dr. AlMalik for his visit and expressed her anticipation of fruitful cooperation between UNOSSC and ICESCO.

New York: 22 September 2026

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the fields of science, technology, innovation, higher education, and science diplomacy. The agreement aims to develop initiatives, programs, and partnerships that contribute to sustainable development and strengthen international scientific cooperation.

The agreement was signed on Monday, 21 September 2026, in New York City, United States of America, on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy and Global Cooperation, held as part of the 2026 Science Summit. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Saule Sagintayeva, President of Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University in Kazakhstan, representing the Ministry.

The agreement identifies several key areas of cooperation, notably science diplomacy; the advancement of research excellence, innovation ecosystems, and advanced technologies; capacity-building and human capital development through training programs and academic cooperation; harnessing science for sustainable development; and institutional cooperation among universities, research centers, and centers of excellence.

Under the agreement, cooperation between the two parties will also include developing joint programs, projects, and initiatives; establishing platforms, networks, observatories, and institutional centers to advance scientific cooperation and innovation; organizing conferences, forums, and training workshops; and exchanging experts, data, and best practices.