Category: Director General

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.

New York: 22 September 2026

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed, on Monday, 21 September 2026, two cooperation agreements with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) and Khoja Ahmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University (AYU) to expand access to high-performance computing and advance cooperation in scientific research, education, and innovation.

The first agreement was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Mr. Samgat Yermekbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board and First Vice-Rector of KazNU, on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education in New York, USA, as part of the Science Summit 2026.

The Agreement aims to expand researchers’ access in ICESCO Member States to high-performance computing resources by leveraging the computing facilities of KazNU, as well as to build their capacities through training and joint research projects. This will contribute to narrowing disparities in computing capabilities and harnessing them for knowledge production and the development of innovative solutions.

The second MoU was signed by Dr. Salim AlMalik and Dr. Zhanar Temirbekova, Rector of AYU. It focuses on advancing cooperation in science, technology, and innovation; supporting research on environmental and climate issues; developing youth capacities; and expanding opportunities for education, scholarships, and academic exchange.

The MoU also provides for cooperation in science diplomacy and peacebuilding, as well as safeguarding the heritage of the Islamic world and Turkic-speaking regions, by supporting intercultural dialogue and understanding and exchanging knowledge related to this heritage. It also enables the launch of joint initiatives linking scientific research with social responsibility and supporting the contribution of universities to preserving civilizational memory.

The two agreements offer a framework that brings together access to computing infrastructure and the development of academic partnerships, linking research and training to practical applications and expanding the participation of scientific institutions in Member States in knowledge production and its application in the service of development.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held the first High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy and Global Cooperation on Monday, September 21, 2026, in New York, United States. The event brought together officials from government bodies, international organizations, and scientific institutions to discuss ways of leveraging science diplomacy to strengthen international cooperation in higher education and translate scientific and technological capacities into tangible impact.

The dialogue, held as part of this year’s Science Summit in conjunction with the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), opened with remarks by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General. He highlighted the importance of science diplomacy in advancing knowledge and progress, stressing that many scientific discoveries capable of protecting societies from contemporary challenges remain out of reach because countries lack the necessary infrastructure and partnerships.

Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education for its cooperation with ICESCO in organizing the dialogue, noting that science diplomacy lies at the heart of the Organization’s priorities. He added that ICESCO is developing its areas of competence through an approach based on impact, inclusiveness, creativity, and sustainability.

In this regard, the ICESCO Director-General stated that the Organization is working to develop a framework for the mutual recognition of academic qualifications in 15 countries, as well as permanent mechanisms for science diplomacy to connect scientists with diplomats, universities with governments, and scientific research with policymaking.

Following, Dr. Yergaliyev Kuanysh, Head of the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO, moderated a panel that saw the participation of Dr. AlMalik; Mr. Didar Temenov, Director of the Multilateral Cooperation Department of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation; Dr. Saule Sagintayeva, President of Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University in Kazakhstan; Ms. Susie Kitchens, Director of Science Diplomacy at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; Dr. Saifur Rahman, Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Climate Magazine, Director of the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute, Dr. Brando Okolo, Head of the Science, Technology and Innovationat the African Union Development Agency; and Mr. Seán Kelly, Member of the European Parliament.

At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants issued the “New York Declaration on Science Diplomacy for Inclusive Global Development,” affirming the commitment of participating institutions to employ science diplomacy to advance cooperation among countries, governments, universities, research institutions, the private sector, and civil society. The Declaration aims to promote innovation, sustainable development, and the contribution of Global South countries to science, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges, foremost among them climate change, security, and health. It emphasized that science diplomacy provides a practical means of developing research infrastructure, modern technologies, and the capacities of future generations of scientists and diplomats.