Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), who visited ICESCO’s pavilion at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. During their meeting, the two parties discussed topics of mutual interest and explored ways to further enhance their partnership.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday, November 11, 2024, Dr. AlMalik underscored ICESCO’s commitment to developing initiatives, programs, and projects in partnership with the Organization of Turkic States in areas of shared action. This partnership is set to be formalized in a cooperation agreement, which the two organizations plan to sign during Dr. AlMalik’s forthcoming visit to OTS’s headquarters in Istanbul, Türkiye, in January.
For his part, H.E. Amb. Omuraliev commended ICESCO’s role and efforts in supporting its Member States in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. He reaffirmed the Organization of Turkic States’ dedication to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO, especially in light of the MoU signed between the two organizations to enhance their collaboration.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended the opening session of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which kicked off on Monday (11 November 2024) and continue until November 22, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The COP29 features the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, the major event within the conference activities, which is an opportunity to assess the progress made in mitigating the effects of climate change and discuss the best ways to combat this phenomenon. This year Summit will focus on generating new funding for climate action.
During the opening session of COP29, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, COP28 President, handed the COP presidency over to Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who called in his address for enhancing climate ambition through clear plans and effective financing for the benefit of developing countries. Mr. Simon Stiell, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of defining a new global climate finance goal, adding that the current challenges require global resilience.
ICESCO, which holds an observer status at COP29, is participating in the 29th session of the Conference in Baku with a special pavilion in the Blue Zone, where about 50 diverse activities is scheduled to discuss the implications of climate change on education, science and culture. ICESCO will also organize a panel discussion, in partnership with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) on enhancing water security, biodiversity and peace through innovation and Earth observation.
Dr. Al-Malik, leading ICESCO’s high-level delegation at the Conference, will participate in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit. He will also meet a number of senior officials participating in the Conference as well as the heads of relevant international organizations and bodies to discuss ways of cooperation for promoting environmental protection and countering the negative repercussions of climate change.
Following the COP29 opening session, ICESCO Director General visited the Organization’s pavilion in the Blue Zone, checked the preparations for the start of activities, and received a number of officials and ministers participating in the Conference.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, Minister of Education, Chairman of the Kuwaiti National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, held a meeting to discuss ways to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Kuwait in education, science and culture.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday 5 November 2024, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education in Kuwaiti city, Dr. Al-Malik congratulated Eng. Al-Tabtabaei on receiving the Amiri trust and his appointment as Kuwait’s Minister of Education, wishing him success in his new role. Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main lines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting its ongoing programs, projects, and activities. Dr. AlMalik focused particularly on efforts in developing educational systems and curricula, empowering women and youth, preparing them for future careers, promoting values of coexistence, peace, and intercultural dialogue, and encouraging investment in technology, innovation, artificial intelligence applications, and space sciences. Additionally, Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of fostering a culture of foresight and enhancing the global standing of the Arabic language.
ICESCO DG expressed the Organization’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait, in coordination with the Kuwaiti National Commission, and other relevant bodies, through implementing initiatives, programs, and projects in ICESCO’s areas of action that align with Kuwait’s priorities in these fields.
For his part, Eng. Al-Tabtabaei praised ICESCO’s role in supporting its Member States across its fields of expertise and expressed his eagerness to leverage ICESCO’s experience in contributing to the development of Kuwait’s educational system.
The meeting also included discussions on several proposed programs and projects for joint implementation, with both parties agreeing to continue coordinating on a set of educational projects. At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Eng. Al-Tabtabaei with ICESCO shield.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Awatef Al-Anzi, Head of Technical Office Department to the Kuwaiti National Commission.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Bader Al-Saad, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. The Meeting focused on exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest between ICESCO, the Arab Fund, and the Coordination Group of the Arab National and Regional Development Institutions, for which the fund serves as the coordination secretariat.
During the Meeting, held today, TuesdaY, November 5, 2024, in Kuwait City, Dr. AlMalik reviewed key aspects of ICESCO’s foresighted vision, highlighting ongoing initiatives, programs, and activities that emphasize youth and women capacity-building, leveraging modern technology, and contributing to social, economic, environmental, and cultural development across its Member States.
At the close of the Meeting, both parties expressed their anticipation of establishing a productive partnership between ICESCO and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, through the launch of initiatives and programs that will positively impact economic and social development in the Islamic world.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science signed an agreement on Libya’s hosting of the 45th session of ICESCO Executive Council, due to be held in January 2025, in Tripoli.
The agreement was signed at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, on Tuesday (5 November 2024), by Dr. Salim Al-Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat for National Commissions and Conferences of ICESCO, and Dr. Mohammed Amari Zayed, Libya’s Permanent Representative at ICESCO, on behalf of the Libyan National Commission.
Following the signing, Dr. Al-Habsi expressed his confidence in the ability of the competent parties in Libya to ensure the success of ICESCO Executive Council, noting that it will feature a consultative meeting of Member States to tackle the opportunities and challenges facing the Islamic world.
For his part, Dr. Zayed affirmed that the Libyan authorities will spare no effort to successfully host and organize ICESCO Executive Council in Tripoli, commending the distinguished cooperation relations between ICESCO and the State of Libya in the Organization’s areas of competence.
It is worth mentioning that ICESCO Executive Council is convened on an annual basis, bringing together its members and the delegations of ICESCO’s 53 Member States, with the Secretaries-General of National Commissions heading their delegations, to examine and approve the activity reports and action plans submitted by ICESCO’s General Directorate.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized that the profound transformations currently shaping global society demand an unprecedented focus on advancing and modernizing educational systems, policies, and orientations. These changes, driven by the emergence of knowledge economy, rooted in intellectual capital and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence with its implications for education, call for a comprehensive evaluation of the education reforms undertaken over the past two decades, discarding elements no longer aligned with the needs of the modern era.
This statement was made as part of the DG’s address today, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, during the opening session of the Fourth International Educational Conference, titled “Transforming Education: Opportunities and Challenges to Enhance the Future of Education in the Gulf Countries.” Organized by the Gulf Arab States’ Educational Research Center, under the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, the two-day conference in Kuwait City is held under the patronage of Kuwaiti Minister of Education Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei. The Event is attended by heads of academic institutions, international and regional organizations that focus on education, and a selection of esteemed international experts.
Dr. AlMalik highlighted that advancing education in the Gulf requires consideration of several key factors, including the demographic impact of the education sector, with students making up 17% of the population, and the need to reevaluate reform methodologies, especially as Gulf studies have questioned the effectiveness of imported curricula as substitutes for national efforts. He stressed the importance of developing a new educational thinking that embraces the philosophy of digital transformation and addresses digital literacy challenges.
He also noted the critical role of the family in the educational process, acknowledging the unique cohesiveness of families in the Gulf region, and the central role of teachers. Furthermore, Dr. Al-Malik commended Gulf countries on their achievements in teacher training and development.
Moreover, ICESCO Director-General recognized significant disparities in the quality of education among Islamic countries, while praising the Gulf states for supporting educational systems in less developed nations. He urged further collaboration with ICESCO to assess the educational needs of the Islamic world, leveraging the Organization’s in-depth knowledge of its Member States’ conditions.
Dr. AlMalik concluded by encouraging a thorough review of the UN questionnaire on transforming education, suggesting its adaptation to the Region’s educational and cultural framework in order to glean important insights. At the close of the Conference’s opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik was honored with the Conference’s commemorative shield, presented by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Assimi, DG of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, in the presence of Mr. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Engineer Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, the Kuwaiti Minister of Education.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation of content creators and influencers from the Kingdom of Morocco, during their visit to the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat.
During the meeting, held on Friday, November 1, 2024, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the main axes of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, and talked about the Organization’s key initiatives, programs and projects, especially in the field of youth capacity building. He further explained that the Organization has dedicated an entire year to celebrating young people, in firm belief of their key role in developing their societies and building a better future for the Islamic world.
Moreover, the Director-General mentioned key initiatives, notably Youth Training Project on Creating Small Projects in the Fields of Technology and Innovation, Can-Sat training workshop, held in Morocco, Burkina Faso and Türkiye, and Leadership Training for Peace and Security Program (LTIPS), through which 180 young men and women graduated as ICESCO Young Peace Ambassadors.
For their part, the delegation expressed its appreciation of ICESCO’s programs and projects targeting the youth of the Islamic world, conveying its keenness to take part in the Organization’s activities and contribute to the promotion of its leading roles within its areas of competence, as well as its efforts to support young people and prepare them for the professions of the future.
Afterwards, Dr. AlMalik took the delegation on a tour of the Exhibition and Museum, where they received detailed explanations on the content of its pavilions and sections, which all employ modern technology and capitalize on AI and augmented reality’s applications to transport the visitor to the time of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Fafré Camara, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored ways to promote cooperation between Mali and ICESCO in the Organization’s areas of competence. At the beginning of the meeting, held today, Friday, November, 1, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik conveyed his congratulations to Mr. Camara for his new position as Mali’s Ambassador to Rabat, wishing him success in his mission.
For his part, Mr. Camara expressed his thanks for the warm welcome, handing Dr. AlMalik a letter from H.E. President Assimi Goïta, Transitional President of the Republic of Mali, conveying His Excellency’s appreciation of ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, and keenness to promote cooperation between Mali and ICESCO.
Likewise, the Malian Ambassador presented the DG with a letter from Mr. Andogoly Guindo, Minister of Culture, Handicrafts, Hotel Industry and Tourism, where the Minister commends ICESCO’s initiative to preserve, promote and restore the historical Timbuktu Manuscripts, stressing Mali’s readiness to cooperate with ICESCO in the implementation of this initiative.
The DG expressed his thanks and appreciation to H.E. the Transitional President for his letter, and to the Malian Minister of Culture, underscoring that Timbuktu Manuscripts comprise of thousands of historical and religious documents that represent an intellectual treasure trove that must be preserved and promoted.
Moreover, the DG stated that ICESCO is keen to support the efforts of the Member States to upgrade their educational, scientific and cultural sectors, as part of the Organization’s new vision and strategic orientations. To this end, Dr. AlMalik added, ICESCO implements initiatives and programs with tangible impact that meet the expectations and needs of each Member State. He further explained that it closely works with National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture and competent parties, expressing ICESCO’s readiness to develop its cooperation relations with Mali.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Slim Khalbous, Rector of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), at ICESCO’s headquarters, in Rabat, to discuss potential avenues for enhanced cooperation in areas of common interest.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to deepening cooperation with esteemed universities and research institutions within and beyond the Islamic world. This commitment is reflected in the implementation of joint programs and projects and the establishment of ICESCO Scientific Chairs. Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s belief that academic and research institutions are the best incubators for innovation and creativity and play a pivotal role in developing the skills of young people to face future challenges.
For his part, Dr. Khalbous expressed AUF’s dedication to furthering its partnership with ICESCO, as outlined in the framework cooperation agreement signed between the two organizations in March 2021. This cooperation has led to numerous impactful activities and initiatives over the past three years.
The meeting also examined proposals for future cooperation, particularly in advancing linguistic diversity in scientific research to enrich the field through varied perspectives and methodologies, enhancing networks between member universities in the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, affiliated with ICESCO, and AUF’s member universities, as well as launching targeted programs to benefit both institutions’ member universities. During the meeting, Dr. Khalbous invited Dr. AlMalik to attend the upcoming World Francophone Science Week, set to take place next year in Dakar, Senegal, with participation from representatives of over 1,100 universities. Dr. AlMalik reciprocated with an invitation for AUF to participate in ICESCO’s Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, scheduled for mid-2025.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. Adel Jarboui, DG of the International Academy of Francophone Scientific (AIFS); Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector; Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector; Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; and Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Omar Althumali, Principal of the Saudi Schools in Rabat, who visited ICESCO headquarters, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, leading a delegation of the Saudi Schools’ staff and pupils.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to support educational institutions in the Islamic world, and highlighted its openness to cooperation to keep up with the rapid global developments, harnessing modern technologies to develop education and equiping learners with the adequate skills for tomorrow’s professions.
He also reviewed the pillars of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations, particularly in the field of education and youth capacity-building, as well as the Organization’s initiatives, programs, projects and activities, implemented in cooperation with the competent parties in Member States and donor institutions and bodies.
For his part, the Principal of the Saudi Schools in Rabat commended ICESCO’s remarkable roles, expressing his desire to build cooperation between the two parties in areas of common interest, including the organization of contests and training programs.
The meeting saw the presence of Mr. Faraj AlDhafeeri, activity leader at the Saudi Schools in Rabat.
Following the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik had a discussion with the pupils of the Saudi Schools in Rabat, who visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO’s headquarters, and listened to their impressions about the explanations and the display of the Prophet’s seerah using the latest technologies, stressing that this exhibition is the fruition of a tripartite strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League and the Muhammadia League of Scholars.
