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    Category: Director General

    Director General

    ICESCO Director-General receives 2024 Mediterranean Award of Excellence

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    During a solemn ceremony in Naples, Italy, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), was awarded the “Mediterranean Award Medal of Honour” for 2024. This prestigious award is annually presented by the Mediterranean and the United States of the World foundations, to kings, presidents, heads of governments, intellectuals, academics, and innovators who have contributed significantly through their remarkable works and diligent efforts to promoting values of coexistence and peace worldwide.

    The Award was presented to Dr. AlMalik during the ceremony, which was attended by high-level dignitaries from various countries, by Dr. Michele Capasso, President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo and Secretary-General of the United States of the World. In his speech, Dr. Capasso affirmed that awarding this prestigious prize to the Director-General of ICESCO was in recognition of his outstanding work and significant efforts in leading the Organization to achieve remarkable accomplishments over the past five years. This has positioned ICESCO at the forefront of international organizations promoting civilizational dialogue and serving humanity without discrimination, in line with a creative foresighted vision.

    In his address, Dr. AlMalik expressed his delight at receiving the award, which symbolizes lofty human values honored by all those who have been bestowed with it, placing their names among a distinguished list of global figures renowned for their wisdom, objectivism, and responsibility.

    His Excellency added that the timing is of utmost significance, given the emerging global phenomena necessitating intensified efforts, an elevation of rationality, and the promotion of peace to instill hope worldwide that there is still a vision to confront the prevailing political, economic, environmental, health, and educational dispiritedness through the vision and action of institutions and their cooperation to anchor human values, which is their Raison d’être.

    Dr. AlMalik emphasized that openness is a highly rewarding value, as ICESCO has demonstrated by navigating its seas and adopting it as its Modus Operandi. It has opened the door to observer membership for countries outside the Islamic world to ensure the consolidation of the global partnership pillar, seeing as without extending our hand in goodwill, we cannot guide the international community out of the instability that many of its components are currently experiencing.

    The Director-General further pointed out that ICESCO has taken a step of deeper impact by celebrating societal segments that require stronger and more serious efforts, foremost among them being women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities. The Organization has consecutively celebrated a whole year dedicated to women and another to youth, and arrangements are underway for its celebration of a special year for the children of the world, believing that the paths of peace can be secured only by allocating more attention to these segments to reclaim their pivotal roles in human development.

    Dr. AlMalik concluded his speech by expressing his gratitude to all members of the Organization, which he is honored to lead, as ICESCO represents a beehive which produces the finest honey, His Excellency added:” The motivations that prompted you to honor my person with this prize, they are driven by a continuous generosity by those who truly deserve gratitude.”
    He concluded by thanking the United States of the World Foundation, affirming that they have planted, through this award, evergreen trees of hope and appreciation.

    For his part, Dr. Abdelhak Azzouzi, member of the Board of Directors of the Euro-Mediterranean University in Fez, Morocco, praised ICESCO Director-General’s reception of this distinguished award, which many consider as the “Nobel of the Mediterranean region.” He reaffirmed that Dr. AlMalik has excelled in leading ICESCO, which includes 53 member states, to become a creative Organization that anchors values of peace, coexistence, love, and harmony across its Member States, and around the world.

    ICESCO Director General Holds Three Meetings on the Sidelines of ICTM in Uzbekistan

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. Almalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held three important meetings on the sidelines of the 12th Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM), organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Khiva, Khorezm region, and hosted by the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the second of June 2024, under the rallying call, “Developing the Tourism Industry in a Sustainable and Flexible Manner.”

    Firstly, Dr. Almalik met with Hissein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary-General of OIC, to reiterate ICESCO’s keenness to deepen cooperation with OIC and develop projects and activities that serve the Member States of the two Organizations. For his part, Mr. Ibrahim Taha stressed ICESCO’s significant roles in its fields of competence and the need to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.

    Following, Dr. Almalik held a meeting with Mr. Abdukhakimov Aziz, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to commend Uzbekistan’s efforts in organizing and receiving ICESCO’s delegation to ICMT and to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan by implementing joint projects in the fields of preserving ecosystems, mechanisms to face climate change and promoting awareness among the youth of the Islamic world on environmental citizenship for a better tomorrow.

    The third meeting was held with Mr. Khosrov Nazeri, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a Eurasian organization founded in 1985 to develop economic partnerships among its 10 Member States. The meeting aimed at discussing prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and ECO in areas of common interest to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

    The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

    ICESCO Director-General Reviews the Organization’s Efforts to Develop Comprehensive Tourism Strategies for the Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized the need for increased efforts to build a promising future for tourism and to make this sector a means for connecting humans, resolving conflicts, and a tool for foresight. Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s commitment to developing knowledge related to tourism, thus keeping pace with technological advancements, developing cultural plans, and promoting heritage to raise awareness and enhance tourism destinations.

    Dr. AlMalik made these remarks during his participation in the 12th Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM), organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Khiva, Khorezm region, and hosted by the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, under the rallying call, “Developing the Tourism Industry in a Sustainable and Flexible Manner.” The Conference, which is part of celebrating Khiva as the Tourism Capital of the Islamic World for 2024, saw a high-level presence of tourism ministers in the Islamic world, representatives of international organizations, as well as experts and specialists in the field.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik stated that tourism is a ground for a multitude of ideas and activities related to politics, economy, culture, and arts and a metric for human mobility, global security, peace, and prosperity. Dr. AlMalik emphasized the freedom of mobility and the role of tourism that extends beyond mere leisure, attracting capital and acquiring knowledge and cultures to serve as a diplomatic soft power.

    In the same vein, ICESCO Director-General stated that the Organization, given its role in the cultural aspects of tourism, seeks to develop comprehensive tourism strategies. Dr. AlMalik underscored the increasing roles of tourism and the need for pooling efforts to develop more equitable and creative policies that address the risks facing this industry, recalling the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism, with the loss of approximately 900 billion dollars in two years.

    Dr. AlMalik presented several recommendations by ICESCO to recover tourism in the Islamic world. These include developing joint plans for the tourism industry, encouraging media to further highlight accomplishments and developments in tourism facilities, establishing a shared tourism information bank, enabling youth in tourism development systems by leveraging artificial intelligence applications, and adopting “intra-regional tourism” among the countries of the Islamic world.

    At the end of his speech, Dr. AlMalik expressed gratitude to H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek government for hosting the ICTM, which is dedicated to reviving and developing tourism. Dr. AlMalik also thanked the OIC for its continuous efforts and outstanding initiatives and actions.

    ICESCO Director-General Meets with First Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva, First Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, to discuss the importance of developing cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in areas of mutual interest and ways to ensure the success of the celebration of Samarkand, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025.

    During the meeting, held on Friday, 31 May 2024, in Tashkent, Dr. AlMalik commended the outcomes of his meeting with H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and His keen interest in enhancing cooperation between the two sides. Dr. AlMalik affirmed that the Organization’s new vision and strategic orientations adopt openness and cooperation with the Member States to accurately identify their trends and needs and design programs and projects tailored to each country in coordination with their National Commissions.

    Moreover, ICESCO Director-General outlined the main pillars of the Organization’s strategic vision and reviewed its key initiatives and programs, particularly in supporting and building the capacities of women and youth to face future challenges and enhancing the efforts of Islamic world countries in developing their educational systems through using modern technology and encouraging the Member States to invest in space sciences and other future-oriented fields.

    The meeting also touched on several issues of interest to Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva, including youth, women, girls’ education and the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence, all of which are areas to which the First Assistant to the President pays close attention and oversees their policy implementation. Dr. AlMalik praised Ms Mirziyoyeva’s remarkable efforts in these areas, which reflect the priorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

    For her part, Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva emphasized her country’s commitment to cooperating with ICESCO in its areas of expertise, hailing the Organization’s new vision, which is aligned with the latest developments worldwide.

    The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

    ICESCO Director General Meets Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan in Tashkent

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss ways to enhance the partnership between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in areas of common interest.
    At the outset of the meeting, which took place on Friday, 31 May 2024, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tashkent, Dr. AlMalik expressed his delight in meeting with H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Presidential Palace and conveyed his gratitude and appreciation for His Excellency’s keenness to develop cooperation between ICESCO and various institutions in Uzbekistan.

    For his part, Mr. Saidov commended ICESCO’s notable efforts in its areas of expertise, affirming that he had received directives from H.E President Mirziyoyev to intensify communication and coordination with ICESCO to deepen cooperation between the two sides through the implementation of joint programs and projects and the organization of joint international conferences, as well as to ensure the success of the celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025.

    Following, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s current and key initiatives, programs, and projects as part of its new vision and strategic orientations, particularly in youth capacity-building and training them for the professions of tomorrow, supporting entrepreneurship, contributing to the development of education, enhancing the presence of women and girls in various sectors, valorizing and preserving heritage, and consolidating the values of coexistence, peace, and civilizational dialogue.

    As part of Dr. AlMalik’s visit, the two sides also explored areas of cooperation, including preparing for the Samarkand celebration, the establishment of a National Commission in Uzbekistan to follow up on cooperation with ICESCO, engaging Uzbek professionals to join at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, organizing the proposed international conference on the life and publications of Al-Bukhari, and ensuring ICESCO’s participation in international events in Uzbekistan.

    The meeting also discussed a proposal for cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in the implementation of several joint programs and projects in Afghanistan, particularly in the fields of education, culture, and the preservation and protection of heritage.

    At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a joint team from ICESCO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan to draft an agreement on future joint programs and projects between the two sides.

    ICESCO and Uzbek Ministry of Higher Education Agree to Develop Cooperation

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Sarvarkhon Buzrukhonov, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and together discussed ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry to support scientific research and innovation and provide scholarships for students from the Islamic world to study in Uzbek universities.

    At the beginning of the meeting, held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Tashkent, the Director-General highlighted the key programs, projects and training workshops implemented by the Organization to build youth’s capacities in the fields of technology, creativity and innovation, noting the great success of the Youth Support Program in establishing and developing emerging technology projects in Uzbekistan.

    For his part, Dr. Buzrukhonov commended ICESCO’s efforts in supporting the development of scientific research and innovation for the benefit of the Islamic world, stressing the keenness of the Uzbek Ministry to build fruitful cooperation with the Organization in areas of common interest.

    The meeting discussed the establishment of ICESCO Chairs in Uzbek universities and the membership of a number of these universities in ICESCO’s Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW). They also discussed Uzbek universities’ participation in the FUIW activities and programs and explored the possibility of holding the next edition of the Federation’s prize, “My Thesis in 1000 Words” in one of Uzbekistan’s universities.

    At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sustain coordination to devise practical plans for future cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry.

    ICESCO and Uzbekistan Discuss Developing Cooperation in Environment and Climate Change

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the presence of Mr. Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Ministry’s Tourism Committee. The meeting explored cooperation avenues between ICESCO and the Ministry in the field of environmental protection, awareness-raising about issues related to climate change, and experience-sharing.

    During the meeting, held on Thursday, 30 May 2024, in Tashkent, the ICESCO Director General reviewed the Organization’s major programs implemented in the field of environment, stressing its endeavor to build a sustainable and green future in the Islamic world by promoting a positive climate action plan and contributing to innovative environmental concepts development through support for the establishment of smart, sustainable and resilient cities, and skill enhancement in the field of environmental technologies.

    Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO is developing programs and implementing workshops for the benefit of women and youth on preserving ecosystems, confronting climate change, consolidating the concept of environmental citizenship, and addressing challenges in the areas of food security and agriculture, noting that the Organization will participate with an outstanding pavilion at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29), which Azerbaijan is hosting in Baku, next November, and will exert every effort to ensure the participation of the largest number of Muslim countries at the conference, as well as the representatives of ICESCO’s partners around the world to enrich the conference’s discussions and scientific sessions.

    For his part, Minister Abdukhakimov praised ICESCO’s efforts in the field of environmental protection, expressing the Ministry’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization in holding several conferences and workshops to discuss current environmental issues.

    During the meeting, the two parties discussed organizing the first edition of the ICESCO Conference of Ministers of Environment and Culture in the Islamic World in the Republic of Uzbekistan to discuss the impacts of climate change on heritage and archaeological sites and identifying mechanisms for leveraging modern technologies for their preservation.

    ICESCO and Uzbekistan Explore Cooperation Prospects in Cultural Fields

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and together discussed ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in cultural fields. The two parties also discussed arrangements to celebrate Samarkand as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025, as part of ICESCO’s program to celebrate the capitals of culture.

    The meeting, held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, is part of the visit of Dr. AlMalik and an ICESCO delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan. At the beginning of the meeting, the Director-General reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to ensure a successful celebration of Samarkand, in cooperation with the Uzbek authorities, through the implementation of a rich program that highlights the artistic, cultural and heritage elements of the city, and its status as home to many leading scholars of the Islamic world. The Director-General further explained that this celebration seeks to support efforts to consolidate Samarkand’s cultural assets and publicize its status as a center for science, art and culture, and a global destination for consolidating the values of coexistence and dialogue.

    The meeting discussed the ongoing arrangements for the celebration programme announcement of Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World 2025. In this connection, the two parties agreed to set up a joint working group to develop the elements of this program, which will feature year-long activities and events both in Samarkand and other Uzbek cities.

    The two parties also discussed the establishment of the ICESCO Regional Center for Manuscripts at the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center in Uzbekistan, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Organization and the Center in 2021 to enhance cooperation in the cultural field and work towards providing the Center with modern equipment to hold training workshops for specialists in manuscript restoration and authentication. Likewise, they discussed ICESCO’s participation in several cultural events and arts activities, to be organized in Uzbekistan in the coming period, notably, the second edition of the Maqom Art International Forum.

    President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Receives ICESCO Director General

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 30 May 2024, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in areas of common interest.

    At the outset of the meeting, which was attended by the Minister of Culture and the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, H.E. President Mirziyoyev praised ICESCO’s roles and initiatives over the past years, stressing his appreciation for the Organization’s cooperation with Uzbekistan and the announcement of Samarkand as Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2025.

    For his part, Dr. AlMalik applauded the efforts and commitment of H.E. President Mirziyoyev to environmental protection, noting ICESCO’s past participation in the 27th and 28th sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Sharm El-Sheikh and Dubai respectively, and its upcoming participation with a large pavilion in COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijani, next September.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his wish to hold the Samarkand Capital of Culture celebration under the patronage of H.E., the President of Uzbekistan and to have the opening ceremony in his presence. Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik proposed that Uzbekistan host ICESCO’s joint conference of ministers of environment and culture in the Islamic world to discuss the effects of climate change on heritage and archaeological sites and mechanisms to harness modern technology to protect them, to which H.E. the President expressed his agreement.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik called on Uzbekistan to establish its National Commission to follow up on partnership programs and projects with ICESCO and to cooperate in holding an international conference on Al-Bukhari’s life, biography and publications, with the presence of a large number of Muslim scholars, to shed light on Uzbekistan as one of the centers of Islamic civilization, which gave birth to several scholars who contributed to human civilization. H.E., the President, appreciated and gave his agreement in principle for the implementation of the said proposals.

    The meeting also discussed the inscription of Uzbekistan’s heritage on ICESCO’s lists of heritage in the Islamic world and the development of cooperation between the Organization and Uzbekistani competent bodies in education, youth, women and environment.

    The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnership and International Cooperation Sector.

    ICESCO Director General visits the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), began his visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan by meeting Ambassador Dr. Shoazim Minovarov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization, at the new headquarters of the Center, in Tashkent, and together explored cooperation avenues between ICESCO and the Center in areas of common interest.

    During this meeting, held on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, Dr. AlMalik and Ambassador Minovarov stressed their desire to establish fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and the Center, which has been created at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be a hub of Islamic heritage and civilization, including knowledge materials, manuscripts and rare masterpieces from around the world, and host conferences and seminars that highlight the contributions of Islamic world to human civilization.

    The meeting examined proposals for bilateral cooperation, including the establishment of an office for ICESCO at the Center’s headquarters to monitor cooperation between the two parties, the creation of the Arabic language excellence training center, based on the agreement signed between the ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers and the Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, which joined the Center, in addition to the Organization’s participation in the official inauguration of the Center and at its conferences and symposia. The new headquarters of the Center will be inaugurated by the middle of next year, in the heart of the capital, Tashkent, on an area of more than seven hectares, conjunctly with the celebration of Samarkand, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025.

    At the close of the meeting, ICESCO and the Center agreed to form a joint working group to draft a partnership agreement to be signed at the earliest convenience, covering concrete programs and projects.

    The meeting saw the presence of Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO.