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    Category: Director General

    Director General

    On the International Women’s Day, ICESCO calls for gender equality and supporting women to achieve sustainable development

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Today, we are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day as a momentous occasion when weacknowledge and recognize the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women empowerment. A few decades ago, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO)highlightedthe significance of this important day dedicated to women, calling on all sectors of society to march towards gender equality, women’s rights and their rightful place in all spheres at the turn of the century.

    In its new strategic plan, ICESCO has identified women’s participation and leadership in peace-building initiatives, science and technology, as among crucialdrivers of change. The development of a dynamic and an all-inclusive ecosystem, ensuring progress for women at all levels, in culture, education, and other socio-economic undertakings, is paramount.

    One glaring reality, as nations of the world commit themselves to the UN’s 4th Sustainable Development Goal on education is that girls and women currently comprise 65 percent of the world’s 40 percent illiteracy rate. Education policies still do not adequately address all of the development challengesfaced bygirls and women in vital sectors if we are toachieve sustainable development and growth.These goals can only be achieved if we muster the full and equal participation of women and men in all ofour communities.

    Dr Salim AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO, urges us to challenge antiquated gender norms, empower each other,embracediversity and inclusion,dismantlestereotypes, reject discrimination, and act together to safeguard women’s rights and their enormous potential in leadership roles.

    ICESCO calls for greater political commitment to gender equality, more effectiveimplementation of laws and policies, activating legislation that preserves women’s dignity and shields them fromhuman rights violations. The Organization also callsfor spreading concepts based on the highest socio-cultural values and necessary legal protections likely to help overcome the obstacles currently hampering women’sparticipation in different economic sectors and to provide all other forms of support to ensure the success of women in all spheres.

    ICESCO calls the Islamic world to counter the danger of coronavirus with alternatives

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in keeping with the responsibility incumbent upon it and by virtue of its competencies and functions;
    In view of the risks posed to the world by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19);
    And being aware of the serious repercussions of the spread of this pandemic in the Islamic world;
    Calls upon the Member States’ competent authorities in the fields of education, sciences, culture and communication to exercise the highest degree of vigilance and precaution to prevent the causes of this disease and take urgent and effective measures to reduce its spread.
    In the event educational institutions were to be closed temporarily in countries that show signs of the spread of this pandemic, and class attendance were to be substituted with available educational alternatives according to each country’s means, ICESCO expresses its permanent willingness to support the efforts of Member States in such a way as to ensure the sustainability of the right to education and the continuity of the educational process in the best appropriate conditions.

    ICESCO announces US$200,000 prize for discovering Coronavirus cure or vaccine

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    In its bid to encourage medical and specialized scientific research, thereby promoting humanitarian and social undertakings as its core objective, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced setting up a US$200,000 prize award for individuals or group who will find an effective cure or develop vaccine against Coronavirus (Corvid 19).

             The ICESCO Director General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, reaffirmed this initiative, reflecting the Organization’s awareness of the serious repercussions of this virus, threatening to become a global pandemic with serious impact on the world socio-economic situation.

    Dr. AlMalik added that setting up this Prize goes in harmony with ICESCO’s new vision which highlights the need to adopt applied scientific research as a tool to find appropriate solutions to exigent and challenging issues, calling on all governments, international organizations and civil society institutions to assume their roles and intensify their efforts to counter the spread of this dangerous virus.

    In the same context, Dr. AlMalik reiterated his sympathy for the families of the victims who lost their lives to this virus, and reasserts the Organization’s absolute readiness to assume its humanitarian role to abate the continued proliferation of the deadly contagion.

    Exploring prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and UNAOC

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), explored ways to promote cooperation between the two Organizations to strengthen coexistence and dialogue between cultures, in light of the great changes and challenges facing the world today.

    At the outset of the meeting, which took place today, Friday, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik welcomed Mr. Moratinos and his delegation, stressing that ICESCO’s new vision adopts openness, cooperation and effective partnerships with all entities in its areas of competence, namely education, science and culture, as it seeks to serve Muslims in its 54 Member States and Muslim communities in non-Member States as well.

    Moreover, ICESCO Director General explained that in order to widen the scope of cooperation with non-Member States, the Organization is establishing contact with many of them regarding becoming Observer States in the Organization. He added that one of the manifestations of ICESCO’s openness was the “Forum Future”, which it organized in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation at its headquarters on 17-18 February. The Forum brought together more than 30 experts working at international organizations such as UNESCO and other eminent bodies, specializing in strategic foresight and artificial intelligence and coming from different countries, some of which are not ICESCO Member States.

    For his part, Mr. Moratinos thanked ICESCO Director General for his warm welcome, praising ICESCO’s important role in its areas of competence, and stressing that it is one of the organizations that the Alliance of Civilizations would cooperate and work with in many fields, especially those related to the dialogue between cultures, which is becoming ever more important and complex. He added that at a time when there is ongoing talks about the need to protect the environment and save the planet from global warming, there is also a need to preserve our humanity, learn about coexistence and mutual respect, and understand the existence of different religions, cultures and civilizations.

    Mr. Moratinos called on ICESCO to cooperate and participate in the Ninth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, to be held on 29 November- 01 December 2020, in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, stating that it is the first the Forum is held in Africa. He added that this session marks the 15th anniversary of the UNAOC, which started as an initiative by the UN Secretary General, maintaining that the session will assess the work of the UNAOC since its inception and devise a plan of action to save humanity.

    ICESCO Director General reaffirmed the Organization’s readiness to cooperate and support this major event, as it relates to its areas of competence, maintaining that the Organization has a Division of Dialogue and Cultural Diversity affiliated with the Cultural sector.

    A number of ICESCO officials talked about key ICESCO activities scheduled for the upcoming period, including the First Meeting of the First Ladies of ICESCO African Member States, to be held end of next March, in Niamey, capital of Niger, in cooperation between ICESCO, the Nigerien Government and the First Lady of Niger, Dr. Lalla Malika Issoufou. This meeting will be dedicated to discussing issues of community development in Africa, empowering women, combating illiteracy, and facing violence against girls.

    Reviewing preparations for Hamdan– ICESCO Prize For Voluntary Development of Education Facilities

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Mohamed M. AlMalik, today, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, met with Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, , member of the Board of Trustees of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, and together they explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation in the sector of education, in light of ICESCO’s new vision, which adopts openness and cooperation with the civil society institutions operating in the Organizations’ areas of competence.

    The two parties also reviewed the preparations for the awarding ceremony of “Hamdan– ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities in the Islamic World Countries”, to be held at ICESCO headquarters early April 2020, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chair of the Prize, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates. Likewise, the two parties discussed arrangements for holding the second edition of the Prize.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation at ICESCO.

    Today’s meeting is the second between Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Dr. AlMalik, after the one held early February, in Zabeel Palace in Dubai, following the close of the 40th session of ICESCO Executive Council, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which adopted the Organization’s new vision and a number of key decisions contributing to ICESCO’s fresh start. During the first meeting, Dr. AlMalik invited His Highness to award the winners of the Prize’s first edition.

    Established in 2017 with support from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and in cooperation with ICESCO, the Prize aims to incentivize and pay tribute to authors of voluntary initiatives and charity works in education, namely in the development of educational institutions in Islamic world countries.

    The Prize is awarded biennially to three winners from among individuals or institutions having contributed to developing education institutions in Islamic world countries. The value of the Prize stands at US$ 300,000. Each winner receives a shield and a reward of US$100,000 which will go to charity work, especially developing education institutions.

    AlMalik: if we fail to anticipate the future, we will be chained in the dungeons of the past

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, stated that the Organization has taken upon itself, as part of its new vision, to make of future building one of its pillars. To this end, Dr. AlMalik added, it established the Center for Strategic Foresight to develop its action mechanisms, upgrade its executive plans, provide the necessary expertise and support to competent authorities in the Islamic world and step up their performance to keep pace with future challenges.

    In his address at the opening session of ICESCO Future Forum which kicked off at ICESCO headquarters today, ICESCO Director General highlighted that the Organization committed itself to entrenching foresight thought in the youth through holding training sessions and providing school or training grants, in coordination with international foresight centers.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik revealed that ICESCO initiated preparations for a very important conference in June on the theme “Tomorrow’s Professions”, while pointing out that foresight is a novel field ICESCO intends, as part of its new vision, to further explore and an industry of strategic thought whose findings will contribute to building a brighter future for the Islamic world.

    “If we fail to anticipate the future now, we will chain ourselves in the dungeons of the past and dash our hopes for joining the ranks of developed countries. These countries owe their progress to the findings of anticipatory studies of present and future changes in all the fields of development”, Dr. AlMalik warned. He added that these countries used these findings to develop their strategies based on sound forward-looking thought away from random predictions that are not scientifically founded.

    In another vein, ICESCO Director General said foresight is the best way to preserve and consolidate human gains, as specialized studies have proved that in order for peoples to progress and civilization to flourish they need to consider and reflect on their future based on a scientific approach, through the analysis of data and past and present gains to predict their medium and long-term prospects.

    “Foresight does not at all mean waiting for change to happen in order to interact with its consequences. It rather entails monitoring and interacting effectively and proactively to effect the desired change. Looking back on the experiences of leading nations in today’s world, we realize that their civilizational resurgence was made possible thanks to their solid foundations of foresight thought, which proved to be the most efficient way to address future challenges and measure their compatibility or incompatibility with the available capacities”. He added that such thought allows for investing and adapting the said capacities with the current situation, or monitoring them to prevent any negative impact on the future of individuals and societies.

    In this vein, ICESCO Director General provided examples of the results of this strategic foresight approach achieved at world level, namely the practical proposals to address the challenge of climate change risks and curb global warming. These include reducing CO2 emissions to around 45% by 2030 and to “net zero” by 2050; and monitoring the rise of sea level. He added that the same approach to the challenges posed by digital transition and smart technologies in the economic and business fields in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution reaffirms that 64% of global corporations are aware that their employees lack the necessary skills for digital transition but only 16% of these companies have action plans to address the issue.

    At the close of his address, ICESCO Director General expressed his thanks and appreciation to all the attending officials and experts and to Konrad Adenauer Foundation for their support in the preparation for the first edition of the conference.

    ICESCO-Russia: new start for cooperation

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, along with several officials from the Organization, met with Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to OIC, and his accompanying delegation to explore cooperation prospects between ICESCO and Russia, ICESCO Observer Member, in the fields of education, science and culture.

    At the outset of the meeting held at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the visiting delegation to which he reaffirmed that the Organization’s new vision promotes openness to and cooperation with all world’s countries in the Organization’s fields of competence for the benefit of Member States and Muslim communities in Non-Member States. He added that the vision seeks to ensure that Observer States play a larger role in the action of the Organization, which ushered in a new stage toward the attainment of this objective; and transmit the true image of the Islamic civilization and culture that promote world peace, hence its new modified name “Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization”.

    By the same token, ICESCO Director General stated that cooperation with the Russian Federation, as an ICESCO Observer Member, is of paramount importance, thanks to the outstanding relations between Russia and the Islamic world and Russia’s progress in the areas of higher education, scientific research and new technologies and long-standing culture which tremendously contributed to human civilization. In this regard, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that ICESCO is ready to inscribe some Islamic historic sites in Russia on the Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL) which now includes 140 sites from 23 countries.

    For his part, Dr. Abdulatipov lauded the new vision and its openness and the progress being made by the Organization, while expressing his delight at the meeting and the steps to be taken to coordinate the development of cooperation between Russia and ICESCO in its fields of competence and foster relations with Islamic world countries.

     In addition, Dr. Abdulatipov underlined that cooperation between Russia and ICESCO can cover higher education, modern technologies and strategic foresight given the large number of Russian scientific centers operating in the field of sustainable development and cultural fields, while reaffirming his commitment to give shape to this cooperation.

    Several ICESCO officials then took the floor to stress the commitment of many sectors to cooperate with the Russian Federation and reach out to Russian technical experts to hold future meetings to agree on best modalities of cooperation. Mr. Valerian Shuvaev, Ambassador Plenipothentiary and Extraordinary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Morocco, reaffirmed that the Embassy will follow up the work with ICESCO to coordinate cooperation.

    The meeting was attended from the Russian side by Mr.Vassili Tchetchine, Advisor to the Russian Embassy to Morocco, Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Rabat, and Ms. Alina Danilova, Third Secretary at the Embassy.

    In attndance from ICESCO were Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of Extrenal Relations and Cooperation; Mr. Najib Rhiati, Director of Culture; Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight; Dr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Chief of the Department of Legal Affairs; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Division of Dialogue and Cultural Diversity; Ms. Zineb Iraqi, Supervisor of the Center of Planning, Statistics and Assessment; Mr. Samy El Kamhawy, Supervisor of the Center of Communication; and Ms. Rime Jirari, Programme Specialist at the Directorate of External Rlations and Cooperation.

    ICESCO Director General meets with Morocco Foreign Minister

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, today, at the headquarters of the Moroccan Foreign Ministry to explore cooperation relations between the Organization and the Kingdom in the fields of education, science and culture.

    During this meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the Kingdom of Morocco, represented in His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan Government, for their sustained support for ICESCO. He also reviewed with Mr. Bourita the key themes of ICESCO’s new vision, which was adopted, along with its relevant decisions, by the 40th session of ICESCO Executive Council, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on 29-30 January 2020.

    In addition, the Director General  underlined that the Organization is witnessing a fresh start to become a beacon of outreach for Muslim countries, through promoting more communication with Member States to implement the programmes and activities needed in these countries, thus contributing to their respective plans to achieve sustainable  development; and opening up to non-Member States and cooperating with them in service of Muslim communities.

    For his part, the Moroccan Foreign Minister reaffirmed the keenness of the Moroccan Government to support ICESCO, guided by the instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in meeting the expectations of the peoples of the Islamic world; and becoming, through its new vision, a beacon of global outreach in the fields of education, science and culture.

    Initiative from ICESCO: 10 African cerebral palsy doctors to be trained and qualified annually

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO); Mr. Abdellah Al Ghariri, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Morocco; and Mr. Mustapha Mansouri, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, paid a visit to the Rabat-based National Center for Rehabilitation and Neurosciences (CNRNS) of the Hassan II Foundation for Prevention and Fight against Nervous System Diseases to learn about the Center’s services.

    During this visit, Dr. Abdesslam El Khamlichi, President of the Foundation, provided ample explanations about the Center and all the sorts of treatment it provides to patients, including surgeries and radiographic procedures. He also pointed out that the Center does not only offer treatment but also carries out studies and research works on nervous system diseases and provides training to African doctors to be eligible for higher specialized degrees in neurosurgery.

    To consolidate these efforts, Dr. AlMalik announced that ICESCO would allocate 10 scholarships annually for the training and qualification of doctors from African Member States at CNRNS in this vital specialty to be able to serve their countries after the end of their training. Dr. El Khamlichi hailed the initiative and reaffirmed his appreciation for ICESCO’s considerable role in its fields of competence.

    Dr. AlMalik and Dr. El Khamlichi agreed to sign an agreement between ICESCO and CNRNS to manage these scholarships and define their eligibility criteria, in coordination with the Center and the Organization.

    It is worth noting that the National Center for Rehabilitation and Neurosciences (CNRNS) was established by Hassan II Foundation for Prevention and Fight against Nervous System Diseases, in cooperation with the Moroccan Health Ministry, and Ibn Sina University Hospital Center. Opened in 2010, the Center was designed to respond to the urgent need for kinesiotherapy and physical therapy for patients with nervous system diseases at their advanced stages. It is also the expression of the will of some international institutions such as the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to turn Morocco into a “model center for the training of African neurological surgeons”.

    ICESCO-Indonesia: cooperation prospects explored

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, yesterday at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, received Mr. Harsul Azwar, Ambassador of Indonesia to Morocco, and together they explored cooperation prospects between ICESCO and Indonesia in the next stage.

    During the meeting, the parties explored ways to foster relations through programmes and initiatives mutually agreed by the Indonesian ministries of education, culture and science and ICESCO, as part of the new start of the Organization and its new vision, which came into effect after its adoption by the 40th Executive Council (Abu Dhabi, UAE, 29-30 January 2020).

    Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s appreciation to Indonesia, as it is one of the important Member States and commended its progress and transition toward the future, its outstanding contribution to technological developments and its ancient monuments and landmarks attesting to the glorious Islamic civilization.

    Moreover, ICESCO Director General expressed his thanks to the Indonesian Government for its willingness to pay the remainder of its arrears to ICESCO’s budget and commitment to regularly pay its contributions.

    Talks during the meeting also touched on details of a future visit by the Director General to Indonesia to explore the frameworks of future cooperation with senior officials.

    The meeting was also attended by Mr. Hanung Nugraha, Counsellor for Political and Economic Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy; Mr. Mahmudin, Counsellor for Social and Cultural Affairs; Mr. Najib Rhiati, Director of Culture; Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Relations and Cooperation; Mr. Mohamed Ghemari, Director of the Secretariat of the General Conference, Executive Council and Specialized Ministerial Conferences; Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight; and Dr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Legal Advisor to ICESCO Director General.