The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and Mr. Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organization for Economic, Cooperation and Development (OECD), explored ways to promote cooperation and joint action between ISESCO and the OECD.
During a working lunch in Paris, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Schleicher explored ways of bolstering ties between the two organizations, through mutually agreed action programmes provided for in the cooperation agreement, which will be signed between ISESCO and the OECD by mid next year.
Moreover, the two parties agreed on the participation of the OECD in the Islamic Conference of Ministers of Education, due to be held in 2020, to present a forward-looking vision on education in Islamic countries.
It is worth mentioning that ISESCO and the OECD have finally agreed to organize a number of joint workshops and symposia in 2020 and 2021, in the field of the reform of school curricula; improvement of national educational data quality in ISESCO Member States and their optimization; and provision for assistance in educational policy development.
By the same token, ISESCO and OECD agreed to knowledge sharing, whereby ISESCO will allow Member States a larger interaction and wider access to the OECD’s research, data, and analyses likely to boost the endeavors of education reform, through various practical means.
Today in Paris, the Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Chingiz Aidarbekov, on the sidelines of their participation in the 40th UNESCO General Conference.
During this meeting, which was attended by Mr. Zhamankulov Azamat Kaparovich, Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, Dr. AlMalik presented ISESCO’s new vision, which prioritizes enabling youth, women, and children of their educational, scientific, cultural, technological, and environmental rights; and commits to open up to and cooperate with other international organizations operating in the same fields of action.
ISESCO Director General also affirmed the Organization’s aim to develop cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in light of the new action strategy, which is based on providing programmes and activities, upon the request of Member States, in a way that goes in line with their respective needs.
For his part, Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister reaffirmed his country’s keenness to develop joint action with ISESCO, stating that the Organization’s approach towards empowering the youth will be met with considerable attention from his country, especially that 60% of the population of Kyrgyzstan is under 40 years of age, and they need projects to develop their competences.
In the same vein, the Kyrgyz Minister of Culture stated that there is a need to develop cooperation between ISESCO and Central Asian countries in the field of culture, pointing out to a number of programmes that his country wishes the Organization to be a partner in.
The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, stressed that ISESCO is committed to enable its Member States to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and help them develop their own relevant policies to this effect.
This was part of Dr. AlMalik’s participation as a keynote speaker in the symposium held yesterday evening in Paris on the theme “Youth Voices and the Future of Artificial Intelligence: Towards a Human-Centered Approach” on the sidelines of the 40th UNESCO General Conference.
The symposium brought together Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary General of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union, Mr. Marc-Antoine Dilhac, Director and Coordinator of the Montreal Declaration for the Responsible Development of Artificial Intelligence, Ms. Clara Neppel, Senior Director of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), in addition to Dr. AlMalik. The session was moderated by Delfina Bello, student at Sciences Po, Paris (Institute of Political Studies).
In reply to the question: “In your point of view, why it is important to develop principles and set standards in artificial intelligence?”, Dr. AlMalik clarified that ISESCO is currently working on the promotion of cooperation with UNESCO in the fields of common interest, particularly AI. “AI is among the fast-growing phenomenon and can strngly help countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals” Dr. AlMalik added “but AI, if it is left uncensored, might be a real threat to human rights. Therefore, it is very important to develop principles for setting standards to preserve and protect human rights in the short, medium and long terms”.
Another participant asked: “At ISESCO, you work in various sectors, and AI is a technology which intersects with, causes disturbance to and interacts with science, education, culture, media and communication. How, from ISESCO’s viewpoint, can you ensure the comprehensive development of standards in light of the areas of action of the various organizations such as ISESCO”.
With regard to this question, Dr. AlMalik answered “most Islamic world countries are consumers of AI, without which they would lag behind the rest of the world. Under ISESCO’s new vision, promoting AI in Member States is an utmost priority for”.
“Our major objective is to build a vital and active biological system so as to develop society and help needy people as AI can address social and economic issues if it is properly used to solve the real global problems and supported by adequate policies and regulations,” ISESCO Director General highlighted “Thus, ISESCO focuses on raising awareness of and guiding countries to reduce the current digital gap, and supporting Member States in this field for global and effective adoption of AI by establishing a better cooperation between stakeholders at all levels.”
Dr. AlMalik received a third question on the role of ISESCO in supporting the dissemination of AI in the future and answered that ISESCO established the Centre of Strategic Foresight to meet future needs, including AI. He added that this Centre will launch the Strategy of the Development of Artificial Intelligence as a guiding initiative in the Islamic world which add to other existing initiatives in few countries.
Dr. AlMalik stressed that ISESCO is committed to empower countries with these new technologies by providing the necessary support and assistance to develop their own AI national policies, and concurrently holding a large forum on AI while expressing his hope that UNESCO, OECD, IEEE and all countries will be part thereof.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), signed a cooperation agreement between the two organizations on capacity-building, development, and technical assistance.
The agreement, which ushers cooperation between ISESCO and UNESCO into a new phase of joint action, includes five programmes on capacity-building, development, technical assistance, particularly in the fields of girls and women education, Artificial Intelligence, the social transformations management programmes (MOST), natural and water resources, conservation of cultural heritage in the Islamic world and Africa, as the latter, particularly poor African countries, constitutes a priority for UNESCO and includes many of ISESCO Member States.
The agreement provides for the sharing of information in the fields of common interest, holding periodical meetings between the representatives of the two organizations both in Paris and Rabat, and the exchange of mutual invitations to participate in their respective gatherings and conferences such as Dubai Expo 2020 and the World Water Forum ‘Dakar 2021’, to provide opportunities for strengthening mutual partnership.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik and Ms. Azoulay held a meeting during which they explored ways to promote cooperation and potential partnership between the two organizations in many programmes and activities within the framework of their action, namely conducting joint foresight studies, joining UNESCO Programme on adopting international conventions in the fields of education, particularly the Convention on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, and facilitating higher education students mobility.
In this regard, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ISESCO’s new vision adopts the principle of openness to and cooperation with international organizations and non-Member States to work jointly and entrench the foundations of complementarity based on respect and accomplishment of commitments in such a way as to serve all world peoples.
On the occasion of the official reopening of its Office at UNESCO headquarters, ISESCO made a big reception during which Dr. AlMalik gave an address welcoming over 250 participants of the delegations of the participating countries in UNESCO General Conference. He also touched upon ISESCO’s new vision, ISESCO and UNESCO cooperation programmes, new cooperation avenues with other organizations, and praised the good organization and success of UNESCO General Conference.
The reception was attended by ISESCO high-level delegation accompanying ISESCO Director General at the 40th UNESCO General Conference.
The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, stressed that ISESCO’s new vision, through which the Organization aspires to become a beacon of global outreach, involves the anticipation of the issues of human development, focuses on the elimination of poverty and countering extremism and hatred speech; and seeks to empower youth and women, support the civil society, protect children, educate refugees and displaced people, preserve heritage and explore the new roles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and future education models.
This was part of Dr. AlMalik’s address at the 40th General Conference of UNESCO, being held in Paris, in which he referred to some global dilemmas such as devastating wars, terrifying climate changes and ethnic conflicts while expressing his hope for a better future whose signs are seen in this Conference.
ISESCO Director General also highlighted that ISESCO’s anticipatory vision is imposed by the Islamic world’s challenges and opportunities in light of five variables. The first is demographic as the Muslim world population will reach over two billion by an increase of 35% over the coming twenty years. This is major variable for the whole world.
The second is economic considering the major negative impact of global economic crises on Muslim countries, especially the poor ones in the fields education and environment.
The third is cultural: many historical monuments and heritage sites have disappeared. Thus, the remaining ones should be rapidly inscribed and protected. Besides, the world should counter extremism and hatred speech.
The variable is educational given that illiteracy is a reality in the Islamic world with 40% of illiterate people, 65% of whom are girls and women. This rate is expected to rise over the coming twenty years.
The last variable is technological; the digital gap between developed and poor countries has expanded. Against this backdrop, ISESCO has launched the Initiative of Modern Technology Integration in Elementary Education with priority focus on poor countries.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that ISESCO intends to strengthen cooperation with Member and non-Member States, and promote relations with international organizations, particularly UNESCO, to set an example of cooperation in light of the cooperation agreement the two Organizations will sign today.
ISESCO Director General further called on non-Member States and international organizations to join ISESCO as Observer Members to promote joint action, entrench the foundations of complementarity based on respect and accomplishment of commitments while stressing that ISESCO has taken upon itself to prevent politics and politicization in its missions.
Today in Paris, the Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, met with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Abulfas Garayev, on the sidelines of their participation in the 40th UNESCO General Conference.
During this meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented ISESCO’s new vision, which will turn it into an international beacon, while focusing on issues of sustainable development; combating poverty; countering extremism and hate speech; empowering youth and women; supporting civil society; protecting children; educating refugees and displaced persons; and conserving heritage. The new vision also targets the new roles of artificial intelligence and the future models of education. By the same token, ISESCO Director General revealed that, in the forthcoming period, the Organization will launch a number of special activities and programmes which will greatly benefit Member States, while stressing that this new strategy responds to the requests of Member States and implements programmes requested by these countries, according to their respective needs.
On his part, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture shed light on “Baku Process”, which was launched on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, with the aim to establish an effective dialogue between different civilizations and cultures. He also pointed out to “Baku Declaration”, issued in 2008 within the framework of this initiative, following the participation of Ministers of Cultures of 10 Islamic countries in the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Culture.
The Minister also touched upon the research center, which was established within the initiative, and requested for a permanent delegate of ISESCO at the Center. He also stated that Azerbaijan is interested in two priorities; the protection of heritage and creative cities, while praising ISESCO’s efforts in the cultural field and its outstanding work in documenting heritage in the Islamic World.
The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, met with the Pakistani Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, on the sidelines of their participation in the 40th UNESCO General Conference, which kicked off in Paris last Tuesday.
During this meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ISESCO’s new vision through which the Organization strives to become a beacon in the fields of education, science and culture, not only for Muslim countries but also for the world at large; and aims to become an organization with a clear identity and references, so as to forge ahead in its areas of competence with a forward-looking approach for the benefit of the Islamic world. He added that ISESCO also aims, through its new vision, to become a leadership and creativity hub able to coordinate efforts to develop educational policies and systems for Member States and improve these systems’ performance and output.
In addition, ISESCO Director General reaffirmed ISESCO’s strong conviction in empowering young people, women and children, and allowing them access to good education, noting ISESCO’s initiative to support women scientists in the Islamic world and announcing that this initiative will be expanded to include all scientists and researchers in ISESCO Member States.
For his part, the Pakistani Minister commended the active presence of ISESCO’s representatives in the proceedings of UNESCO General Conference, highlighting the importance of such presence in expertise sharing and cooperation with the two organizations during such events. The minister also praised ISESCO’s new vision, reaffirming his appreciation of the Organization’s new approach, which consists of allowing Member States to specify their needs in terms of programmes that ISESCO then supports, organizes, and deploys experts to carry out the required tasks.
Likewise, Mr. Mahmood underlined his country’s interest in developing cooperation with ISESCO in its areas of competence, and expanding the scope of partnership with the Organization in the cultural field, particularly with regard to safeguarding heritage in the Islamic world.
At the end of the meeting, ISESCO Director General and the Pakistani minister agreed to co-organize a number of programmes and workshops.
On the sidelines of his participation in the 40th UNESCO General Conference, being held in Paris, France, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), has held a series of meetings with several ministers and officials of National Commissions in Member States as well as officials in international organizations to explore ways of developing cooperation between ISESCO and these countries in the next period.
With Ms. Golda El-Khoury, Director of UNESCO Office in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik examined ways to foster cooperation and joint action between the two international organizations, as they share the same action areas and seek to preserve world heritage, support countries in reforming their education systems and ensure that projects and activities yield the maximum positive outcomes.
In the same vein, ISESCO Director General pointed out that ISESCO has reopened its office at UNESCO headquarters to further cooperation, under ISESCO’s new vision that advocates openness to and action with all international organizations, civil society organizations, universities and research centers, in service of Member States’ peoples.
For her part, Ms. El-Khoury welcomed the Organization’s new vision and reaffirmed that the next period will witness more cooperation in fileds of action shared by the two organizations.
Likewise, Dr. AlMalik met with Dr. Hamda Al-Sulaiti, Secretary General of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The two parties examined the development of cooperation between ISESCO and the State of Qatar in the next phase and touched on the programmes and activities recently carried out in Qatar in cooperation with the Organization.
Moreover, the two parties reviewed the ongoing arrangements for scheduled activities as part of the celebration of Doha as the Arab region’s Islamic Culture Capital for 2021 and agreed on fruitful cooperation in the next period.
The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, today in Paris, met with Mr. Arrmanatha Nasir, Ambassador of Indonesia to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
During this meeting on the sidelines of the 40th UNESCO General Conference being held in Paris, the two parties examined the development of cooperation between the Organization and Indonesia, under ISESCO’s new vision that seeks to make of the Organization a beacon of outreach in the fields of education, science and culture for Muslim countries and the world at large.
Moreover, the two parties agreed to jointly work to make the activities and programmes, implemented in cooperation with ISESCO in Indonesia, more efficient and beneficial to their targeted categories, namely those overseen by the League of the Institutions of Teaching Arabic to non-Arabic Speakers, an institution largely welcome by ISESCO’s Members States in the African and Asian regions.
With a population of 238 million people, Indonesia is the fourth densely populated country in the world and the world’s largest predominantly Muslim country. Indonesia joined ISESCO in 1986. Its National Commission for ISESCO is presided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), in Paris, discussed with Ms. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development of the United Arab Emirates, ways to promote cooperation between ISESCO and the United Arab Emirates in the field of culture.
During this Meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the UAE Government for their initiative to host ISESCO Executive Council, to be held in Abu Dhabi on 29-30 January 2020, which is expected to take milestone decisions related to ISESCO and adopt its new strategy and vision.
The two parties agreed to work jointly to implement a number of programmes and provide support to a host of cultural initiatives within the framework of ISESCO’s new strategy and vision, and as part of its efforts to protect and conserve heritage in the Islamic world and preserve the civilizational Islamic identity against incitement to hatred, fanaticism and violence.
This meeting was held on the sidelines of participation of Dr. AlMalik and Ms. Al Kaabi in the 40th General Conference of UNESCO, which kicked off last Tuesday in Paris with the participation of the representatives of UNESCO’s 193 Member States and 10 Associate Members, and the presence of international leaders, most notably the UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres.
