Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Mr. Emin Amrullayev, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to explore ways to enhance the outstanding cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the field of education and science.
The meeting occurred on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baku, the Capital of Azerbaijan. Significantly, it aligned with the visit of the Director-General of ICESCO who was heading a delegation from the Organization to participate in the 74th International Astronautical Congress.
In the course of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik underlined the key pillars of ICESCO’s vision and its operational strategy, especially in advancing the education system by executing programs and projects that are closely attuned to the priorities and requirements of its Member States. Additionally, he emphasized the spheres of cooperation between the Organization and its international partners, along with its substantial contribution to supporting the endeavors of Member States in the realms of education, science, and culture.

The meeting also delved into the details of proposed collaborative programs and projects between both parties in education. This includes the joint organization of the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) test in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), specifically designed for Islamic World countries. The goal is to assess education systems in these countries, raise awareness among students about the importance of knowledge and basic skills, and elevate the overall quality of education systems.

The two parties agreed on the vital importance of collaborating to organize Olympiad competitions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as part of the activities to be held during the celebration of Shusha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2024, within ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Programme. Furthermore, they discussed providing scholarships to students and implementing cultural exchange programs for young individuals across the Islamic World.
Mr. Amrullayev expressed Azerbaijan’s wish to host the forthcoming Conference of Ministers of Education in the Islamic World, stressing the roles played by ICESCO in serving its Member States in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kapital Bank, and the New Space Innovation Foundation, launched the second edition of the youth training program on the development of small projects in the field of technology and innovation, in the Republic of Azerbaijan, intending to support the creative economy in the Islamic world and promote innovative technological startups.

At the outset of the launch ceremony, held on Wednesday (October 4, 2023), at Yarat Contemporary Art Centre, in Baku, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, gave an address, wherein he reviewed the objectives of the training program, most notably enhancing and ensuring the sustainability of startups in the Islamic world, and launching more than 150 startups by the end of 2025, as well as developing the capacities of more than 500 entrepreneurs.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the program seeks to focus on the fields of artificial intelligence, digital media, entertainment applications, virtual games, financial technology, and tourism, as well as agriculture and food-related technologies.

For his part, Mr. Farid Jafarov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, addressed the strong partnership between ICESCO and the Ministry and proposed to hold the closing ceremony of this program in Azerbaijan. Mr. Rashad Azizov, Head of the Department of Creative Industries and Digital Transformation at the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, stressed the importance of cooperation to advance creative industries in the Islamic world and enhance cultural and economic diversity.

Mr. Zakir Khanmammadov, Head of Kapital Bank, reviewed the Bank’s initiatives to improve the work environment for local startups. Ms. Leyla Taghizade, founder of the New Space Innovation Foundation, presented the Foundation’s programs to enhance youth capacities.

Fourteen (14) teams from the cities of Baku, Sumgait and Ganja were selected to spend a six-week intensive training to develop their innovative projects, and then compete at the national level before reaching the finals.

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in Baku, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of meetings with several ministers and officials in the Republic of Azerbaijan, to discuss strengthening the partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijani institutions in areas of common interest.

These talks were held as part of the visit of ICESCO’s Director General to Baku at the head of an ICESCO delegation, to take part in the 74th International Astronautical Congress.

During the meetings, Dr. AlMalik presented ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations and the main programs, activities and initiatives it implements in cooperation with its partners. He also reviewed the Organization’s contributions to the efforts of its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture.

Dr. AlMalik first met with Mr. Djeyhoun Baïramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, ICESCO’s Director General praised the level of cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijani institutions, indicating that the opening of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku will enhance bilateral relations between the two parties.

Dr. AlMalik stressed that the celebration of Shusha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, within the framework of ICESCO’s Capitals of Culture Program, will be an opportunity to highlight the rich cultural heritage of this ancient city.

For his part, Mr. Baïramov praised ICESCO’s efforts to develop its fields of competence in Member States, reiterating Azerbaijan’s strong support for the Organization.

During the second meeting with Mr. Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, ICESCO Director-General emphasized that the Organization attaches great importance to capacity building for young people adding that the Organization had organized the participation of over 500 young men and women from various Islamic countries in the International Astronautical Congress, as part of ICESCO’s Year of Youth, which will be officially launched on Saturday October 7, 2023 in Cairo, under the patronage of H.E. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The two parties also affirmed their desire to strengthen their partnership in the fields of youth and sports and to collaborate in the implementation of joint activities and programs.

The third meeting was held with Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, Rector of ADA University, and discussed the promotion of cooperation between ICESCO and the University, in the context of the former’s interest in collaborating with universities to encourage scientific research in education, science and culture, through the creation of university chairs.

On Tuesday, 3 October 2023, ADA University in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, hosted the launch of a series of meetings and lectures as part of the “Youth Dialogues” Program by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (ICESCO). The Program started with a dialogue session held by the Organization in collaboration with ADA University as part of ICESCO’s Year of Youth activities, as well as the participation of the ICESCO’s delegation in the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku.

At the outset of the “Youth Dialogues” Program Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General delivered a lecture, then Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, the President of ADA University, presented the opening statement, acknowledging ICESCO’s efforts within its areas of competence and expressing pride in both the partnership with the Organization and hosting the Program’s launch at the University’s headquarters.

During the lecture, attended by Mr. Adil Gabil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr. AlMalik emphasized the power of youth and their pivotal role, offering advice to the present young men and women from the Islamic World. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of youth taking initiative and developing their critical thinking skills in an era marked by the overwhelming flow of information, which necessitates analysis and discernment. Additionally, he highlighted the need for continuous education to further enhance their capabilities.

In response to a question about the role of youth in addressing climate change, Dr. AlMalik underscored the pivotal role of youth in environmental conservation and their contribution to creating a safe living space on Earth. He also shed light on the Organization’s activities and programs in this field.

On his part, Mr. Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, provided advice to the attending youth on how to enhance their skills, particularly in the context of digital transformation and artificial intelligence mechanisms, and also stressed the importance of maintaining family ties.

Additionally, Mrs. Shelli Brunswick, Chief Operating Officer at the American Space Foundation, discussed the crucial role of space science applications in achieving development and underscored their ability to provide tangible solutions to human challenges. She also offered guidance to young individuals interested in pursuing space sciences and exploring the promising opportunities they present.

It is worth mentioning that ICESCO’s “Youth Dialogues” Program is designed to provide young individuals from Islamic and non-Islamic countries with the opportunity to engage in discussions on a wide range of issues of interest to them. The Program will feature a series of periodic lectures held in various countries throughout the Year of Youth celebration. These lectures are intended to create a knowledge-sharing space and provide a platform for the youth to propose innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.

On Tuesday, 3 October 2023, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Azercosmos Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This MoU is designed to establish collaborative efforts in exploring and utilizing satellite technology in the Republic of Azerbaijan and among ICESCO Member States. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships with scientific and research institutions, universities, experts, and researchers in space sciences to foster innovation, promote scientific exchange, and disseminate knowledge in this field.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Samaddin Asadov, Chairman of Azercosmos Board of, at the Baku Convention Center. The event was attended by a delegation from ICESCO, including several department heads, directors, and experts from the Organization. This event coincided with their participation in the 74th International Astronautical Congress held in Baku from 2 to 6 October 2023.

In his statement, Dr. Salim AlMalik underscored the importance of this MoU in promoting partnerships between ICESCO and Azercosmos. He placed significant emphasis on the collaboration between both parties in raising awareness about the future of space sciences and disseminating knowledge in this field across the Islamic World. Dr. AlMalik also affirmed ICESCO’s commitment to nurturing the potential of young individuals, exemplified by the attendance of over 500 participants from Islamic countries at the International Astronautical Congress hosted in Baku. This event served as a platform for exploring the latest advancements in space applications and gaining insights into the remarkable progress happening in this field.

Mr. Asadov, on his part, commended ICESCO’s efforts within its areas of competence, highlighting the strategic partnership and promising prospects that the MoU would offer in bolstering knowledge-sharing in the field of space sciences, both in Azerbaijan and among the Member States of the Organization.

The terms of the MoU outline the collaborative efforts between ICESCO and the Azercosmos in utilizing space technology to advance educational systems, foster scientific development, and promote innovation.

Additionally, it involves the exchange of ideas on how to leverage the capabilities offered by space technologies and their modern applications. This collaboration extends to integrating advanced satellite technologies into various fields such as tourism, agriculture, energy resources, oil and gas, innovative mapping, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.

Prior to the signing of the Memorandum, a meeting took place between both parties, during which a presentation on Azercosmos was delivered, detailed discussions on the signing process and the implementation mechanisms of the Memorandum were held, and the need to invest in similar constructive partnerships in Islamic countries to advance the space sciences industry and optimize the utilization of its technologies was tackled.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Rashad Nabiyev, the Minister of Transport and Digital Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to explore avenues for enhancing the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the realm of modern science and technology.

This was part of the Organization’s Director-General visit to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, to partake in the activities of the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday, 2 October 2023, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baku, Dr. AlMalik acknowledged the substantial cooperation between ICESCO and various institutions in Azerbaijan. He emphasized the key aspects of their fruitful partnership and the programs planned in celebration of Shusha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2024.

The Director-General of ICESCO presented the Organization’s forward-looking vision and principal strategies. He underscored the significance of ongoing initiatives, programs, and projects, with a particular focus on building the capacities of youth in technology, creativity, and digital innovation. Notably, these efforts benefited more than 500 young men and women from various Member States of the Organization who attended the 74th International Astronautical Congress to explore the latest technologies in the field of space sciences.

Furthermore, he emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to contributing to the integration of modern technology and promoting the utilization of artificial intelligence applications to enhance and refresh the fields of education, science, and culture. Mr. Almalik also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Organization and Azerbaijan in organizing major specialized conferences and seminars on science and its technologies, aimed at adapting technology and harnessing its potential in the Islamic World.

On his part, Mr. Nabiyev reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing the partnership between both parties by collaborating on the implementation of more programs and projects in areas of mutual interest.

Present at the meeting from ICESCO were Mr. Anar Karimov, the Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, a Consultant in the Science and Technology Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, called for joint action to implement space solutions in natural resources management, address the associated challenges and encourage youth to take part in space science research and its applications, given the vital role of space exploration in maintaining ecosystems, detecting deforestation, assessing water quality and addressing its scarcity, developing agriculture and exploring minerals and forecasting natural disasters.

Dr. AlMalik made his statements during the 13^th International Meeting for Ministers and Members of Parliaments (MMoP) of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) on 1 October 2023 in the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, in the capital Baku, under the theme “Space Solutions in the Political Agenda – A Must for Policy Makers.” The MMoP was held as part of the 74^th Baku International Astronautical Congress on 2-6 October 2023. As part of its Year of Youth, which would soon be launched in the Arab Republic of Egypt under the patronage of His Excellency Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, ICESCO offered about 500 youth from its Member States the opportunity to attend this congress.

Dr. AlMalik further stated that the rapid demographic growth dictates the need for innovative models in resource management, explicit recognition of the limited natural resources of our planet and the adverse impacts of its depletion. Dr. AlMalik added that good governance of natural resources is key to preserving such resources for future generations through using space solutions and modern technologies and continued cooperation in a global context that is ever-showing a growing investment in space science and its applications.

Dr. AlMalik reiterated ICESCO’s commitment to promoting science and technology, contributing to quality and equitable education for all, especially for girls, women and the neediest populations. He also highlighted ICESCO’s support for space science in the Islamic countries, through its partnership with the MILO Space Science Institute and capacity-building sessions for young people in this field, and welcomed constructive partnership between countries and organisations to support shared values, protect current resources and ensure the future of generations to come.

The International Meetings for Members of Parliaments is the platform that IAF offers to Members of Parliaments from all over the world to foster their dialogue on a global scale with governmental representatives, agencies, stakeholders, engineers and scientists on the potential of space technology and space-related topics.