Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) launched Riyadh AI Ethics Charter for the Islamic World, which aims at outlining a global framework for the development of AI technologies in line with the values and ethics of the Islamic world, and promoting inclusive and sustainable development as well as international cooperation in this field.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, announced the launch of the Charter on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, at the third Global AI Summit (GAIN), held by SDAIA, at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, in Riyadh, in the presence of princes, ministers, senior international officials, thought leaders and heads of leading AI and technology companies from 100 countries around the world.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the launch of Riyadh AI Ethics Charter for the Islamic World is a historic moment, showcasing the great strategic partnership between ICESCO and SDAIA. On this occasion, he expressed his warm thanks and gratitude to all the partners who contributed to drawing up the Charter through a series of specialized workshops, including the Omani University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), which hosts ICESCO’s Chair on AI Ethics, the Moroccan Polytechnic University Mohammed VI (UM6P), the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, as well as experts and researchers from various ICESCO Member States.

He stressed that AI offers tremendous opportunities and solutions to the most pressing problems facing our societies, but also presents challenges to human creativity and the originality of scientific research. He also noted that Riyadh Charter encompasses the principles of truth and originality, and provides a comprehensive framework within which the use of AI is compatible with ethical values, including respect for privacy and human dignity, and the promotion of equity and solidarity.

ICESCO Director General added that the Charter aims to integrate AI into the societies of the Islamic world in such a way as to preserve the values and central role of the family. “It also features proposals to ensure the development of AI, including the creation of an AI Monitoring Committee to oversee progress in this field and provide strategic recommendations to policymakers based on the advice of qualified experts. Similarly, ICESCO will lead a consortium of international governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions to help its Member States build the necessary infrastructure for the development of the digital economy; and cooperate with SDAIA to launch an initiative to train 25,000 young people in the Islamic world in AI science and applications,” he explained.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his speech by recalling that Riyadh AI Ethics Charter is the outcome of ICESCO’s commitment to the outstanding civilizational values of the Islamic world.

  A high-level delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the Third Global Artificial Intelligence Summit, organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA. 

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, ICESCO Director -General, and his accompanying delegation attended the opening ceremony of the three-day Summit, which kicked off on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh.

The opening session brought together a host of princes, ministers, senior international officials, thought leaders, heads of major technology and artificial intelligence companies from around the world, and ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Summit was also attended by a group of experts and economic policy makers active in the field of artificial intelligence from 100 countries, speaking in more than 150 sessions and workshops.

Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, SDAIA President, delivered opening remarks, while Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, spoke at the first session of the Summit.

On Wednesday, Dr. Al Malik will announce the launch of the “Riyadh Charter for Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World”, which culminates the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and SDAIA and embodies the commitment of the two organizations to contribute to developing a comprehensive framework for the use of AI technologies that is based on the values and principles of the Islamic world and contributes to achieving sustainable development.

Moreover, ICESCO organized, on the first day of the Summit proceedings, a working session titled, “Strategic AI Governance: Between Legislation and Ethics”. The working session saw the participation of Mr. Richard Sterling, CEO of Oxford Insights; Dr. Said Jaboob, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in the Sultanate of Oman; and Dr. Immanuel Goffi, Professor of AI Ethics at the École d’ingénieurs du numérique (School of Digital Engineering) in Paris.

Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, moderated the session, stressing the pivotal role of foresight in anticipating future challenges to strategic AI governance. Dr. Kais also stated that foresight guarantees the integration on long-term approaches to ensure responsible and ethical adoption of AI.
In his statement, Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, highlighted the key principles of the Riyadh Charter for Artificial Intelligence in the Islamic World, highlighting the importance of balancing the universality of international norms with the distinctive values of the countries of the Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Bouréma Kansaye, Mali’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to discuss the details of ICESCO’s initiative to preserve, enhance, and restore Timbuktu’s historical manuscripts, which encompass tens of thousands of documents of significant international importance.

At the beginning of the Meeting, which took place on Friday 6 September 2024, at the Cadi Ayyad University Conference Center in the Kingdom of Morocco, alongside the international symposium dubbed: “Ahmad Baba Al Timbukti: A Model of Civilizational Diplomacy in West Africa,” Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to Dr. Kansaye for attending the symposium and delivering an opening speech. He emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to collaborating with Mali, particularly in the field of manuscript preservation, given the vast number of documents housed in Timbuktu’s libraries, and mentioned the Organization’s plan to establish a specialized center dedicated to scripts and manuscripts.

Dr. AlMalik further highlighted that the ICESCO initiative will restore Timbuktu’s manuscripts to their original state and ensure they are properly cared for, considering their status as a heritage of human and Islamic written knowledge. He mentioned that the initiative would be implemented as soon as all financial aspects were settled, in coordination with relevant authorities in Mali.

For his part, the Malian minister praised ICESCO’s initiative, describing it as a pioneering project, and thanked the Organization for its efforts in preserving and valuing the Timbuktu manuscripts.

The Meeting also addressed several logistical and organizational aspects of the initiative, with an agreement to ensure its successful implementation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Alexandre Guido Lopes Parola, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Kingdom of Morocco, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education, science and culture, in light of Brazil’s recent accession to ICESCO as an observer state.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday 4 September 2024, at the Brazilian Embassy in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik expressed his satisfaction with the recent positive developments in the relationship between ICESCO and Brazil, particularly Brazil’s accession to the Organization as an observer state, noting that this would elevate the relationship between the Islamic world and Brazil to new heights within areas of ICESCO’s expertise. He also commended the insightful vision of H.E Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and his openness to cooperation initiatives and international partnerships.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed the Organization’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Brazil through the implementation of several joint programs and projects in education for the benefit of the African region, as well as in the cultural and heritage sectors, to leverage Brazil’s outstanding experience and expertise in these areas.

For his part, Amb. Parola commended ICESCO’s role in developing the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, reaffirming Brazil’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Organization.

The meeting also discussed prospects for cooperation in the areas of youth and sports, given their role in fostering closeness between cultures and peoples, as well as in the fields of food security, smart agriculture, and renewable energy. The preparations for the anticipated visit of the Director-General of ICESCO to Brazil were also reviewed.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO’s General Directorate; Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Advisor to the Director-General; and Ms. Manuela Nicoletti, Expert at the Culture and Communication Sector.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) headquarters in Rabat hosted the closing ceremony of the 16th International Festival Children of Peace on Sunday, July 28, 2024. The Festival is organized by Bouregreg Association in the Kingdom of Morocco, under the honorary presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, with the participation of delegations from 25 countries. The Festival aims to foster a spirit of coexistence and cultural exchange among children from various parts of the world.

The ceremony, organized by ICESCO in partnership with Bouregreg Association and attended by high-level officials and ambassadors, kicked off with a speech by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), to congratulate His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and the Moroccan people on the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day. Dr. AlMalik also expressed his profound gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem for her honorary presidency of the Festival.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted that today’s children are the builders of hope and a bright future filled with peace and security and urged all children to be dutiful to their parents. Dr. AlMalik concluded his speech by calling on the participating children to shed light on their peers in Palestine, who are subjected to unjust killing and torture.

Following his address, Dr. AlMalik exchanged commemorative shields with Mr. Noureddine Chamaou, President of Bouregreg Association, and Mr. Abderrahmane Rouijel, Founding Director of the Festival, both of whom expressed their gratitude to ICESCO for the hosting and remarkable organization of this event.

Subsequently, two young girls read the “Call for Peace” statement in Arabic and English, which emphasized the urgent need for the world to embrace peace, reject violence, and cease wars that cause immense pain and destruction. The Statement drew attention to the unbearable suffering of children in Gaza, Palestine, highlighting their right to safety and a life free from fear.

The “Call for Peace” urged the international community to lay down arms and adopt dialogue instead of conflict, which shatters lives and families and destroys the future. The Statement pointed out that collaborative efforts could build a world where every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe environment.

The ceremony continued with artistic performances by Children from the participating delegations. They presented folklore, songs, and musical performances from their respective countries, which were met with great appreciation from the audience.