Category: Director General

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), was awarded the Best Leader Award 2023 by the World Business Angels Investment Forum. This prestigious international award, presented annually by the Forum, celebrates figures who demonstrate outstanding leadership and foresight, making substantial contributions to the progress of education, science, and culture, resulting in positive changes that foster economic opportunities, social justice, and sustainable development.

In a special ceremony at the 2023 World Business Angels Investment Forum held in Durban, South Africa, attended by ministers and high-level dignitaries and representatives from various countries and international organizations active in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development, Mr. Baybars Altuntas, President of the Forum, presented the award to Dr. AlMalik. He stressed that the award not only acknowledges the international endeavors of the Director-General in education, science, and culture since assuming office but also highlights ICESCO’s substantial contributions in these vital areas. These contributions are driven by its new strategic vision, which has elevated the Organization as a beacon of international intellectual and cultural influence.

The World Business Angels Investment Forum emphasized in the rationale for awarding Dr. AlMalik that, under his leadership, the Organization has successfully achieved its planned objectives ahead of schedule. This accomplishment involved the development and modernization of its organizational structure and operations, as well as the establishment of strong partnerships with esteemed civil society organizations, institutions and entities both within its Member States and on the global scale. As a result, ICESCO has now positioned itself at the forefront of organizations supporting the youth of the Islamic world, striving to provide opportunities for them and enhance their capabilities in technology, innovation, and creativity, in alignment with the evolving trends in the world and anticipating future professions.

It is noteworthy that the World Business Angels Investment Forum is an international organization with the primary objective of facilitating funding for startups, small and medium enterprises, and large institutions. The forum also promotes innovation and creativity while providing employment opportunities to contribute to global social justice. This mission is achieved through supporting major investors in assisting entrepreneurs and people with ideas and facilitating their access to funding. Importantly, the forum is a partner in the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Declan Kiranne, President of the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly, discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the Summit in the development of scientific and technological research, youth capacity-building in the said field, and addressing the impacts of climate change.

During the meeting held on Friday 17 November 2023 at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic directions, especially in the field of science and technology, and building youth capacities in innovation, emphasizing the Organization’s openness to collaboration with everyone to serve humanity and contribute to overcoming the global challenges in education, science, culture, and the environment. This includes investing in the possibilities offered by modern technology and establishing research chairs in various prestigious universities worldwide.

Mr. Kiranne praised ICESCO’s efforts in contributing to the development of scientific research, affirming his keenness to build fruitful cooperation between the Organization and the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly. He expressed the importance of initiating a dialogue with Islamic world countries on the significance of science in achieving sustainable development goals.

The two parties addressed the importance of ICESCO’s significant participation in the 9th edition of the Science Summit, scheduled to take place during the UN General Assembly session in September 2024. Moreover, they discussed inviting scientists from the Islamic world to attend the Summit to enrich global dialogue on the developments and opportunities in science, as well as organizing special activities for youth at the Summit, coinciding with the celebration of the ICESCO Youth Year.

In conclusion, both parties have concurred to sustain ongoing communication and coordination to build a partnership between ICESCO and the Summit in the field of science, and to broaden collaboration with other entities to provide necessary funding for the development of scientific research and the implementation of various programs and projects.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received, yesterday 16 November 2023 at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Mr. Mohammad Sami Rahman, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Morocco, and both discussed means of enhancing cooperation between ICESCO and Pakistan in the fields of education, science, and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his congratulations to the Ambassador on commencing his duties as ambassador of his country to the Kingdom of Morocco, wishing him success and prosperity.

ICESCO Director-General praised the fruitful cooperation between the Organization and Pakistan, which is reflected in the joint implementation of several initiatives, programs, and projects greatly appreciated by the Pakistani side, stating that the upcoming period would witness ramping-up the number and significance of activities between ICESCO and the Pakistani relevant authorities.

The Pakistani ambassador in Rabat, for his part, commended ICESCO’s roles and efforts in supporting its Member States in its areas of competence, reaffirming his keenness to enhance the partnership between the Organization and Pakistan.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a memorandum of understanding providing for cooperation to promote technological applications and cultural and heritage aspects in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishery in the two organizations’ respective Member States.

The MoU signing took place during a meeting held at ICESCO headquarters on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General. The MoU was signed by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. AbdulKarim Elwaer, FOA Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, in the presence of several heads of sectors and departments, ICESCO experts, and a FAO delegation.

Prior to the MoU signing, Dr. AlMalik received Dr. Elwaer and his accompanying delegation, and reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to expand the scope of its cooperation with FOA. He stated that the programs and projects which will be implemented as part of this MoU, guided by innovative visions, will provide a strong impetus to the two organizations’ efforts to foster food security, develop agriculture, protect the environment, and ensure good management of natural resources and livestock.

For his part, Dr. Elwaer commended ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States within its areas of competence, expressing his delight at signing this MoU. He noted that ICESCO and FOA share a number of areas of interest, which will enable the two organizations to contribute to building the capacities of youth and women, exchange information, share expertise and good practices in the fields of science, technology and environment protection.

The MoU provides for cooperation in exchanging knowledge, information and innovation in the fields of food security, natural resources management and transition to sustainable food systems. It also provides for promoting the use of modern technology in agriculture, providing agricultural entrepreneurship training for young people and women, and mobilizing resources to preserve and promote agricultural heritage around the world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is participating with a pavilion in the first edition of the International Children’s and Youth Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, in Casablanca, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him. The book fair was inaugurated today, Wednesday 15 November 2023, and is scheduled to run until the 22nd of the same month.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, received Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco, along with several senior figures attending the fair’s inauguration, at the Organization’s pavilion. Furthermore, he provided them with an overview of the said pavilion, showcasing publications in both print and digital formats, and key activities planned throughout the book fair days. These activities are primarily designed for children and youth, aligning with the ICESCO Year of Youth Program.

Dr. AlMalik also participated in the opening of the “Marvel” creators’ pavilion at the fair, which hosts seven Marvel graphic artists with significant contributions to the world of comic books.

ICESCO’s pavilion will host a diverse cultural, artistic, and entertainment program, encompassing numerous activities, discussion sessions, and dialogues tailored for children and youth, which will feature a distinguished gathering of thinkers, intellectuals, writers, and poets. Of particular note is an open dialogue session with Dr. AlMalik on Saturday 18 November 2023 to discuss crucial issues affecting the youth of the Islamic world, and present the Organization’s programs and projects to nurture their skills for future professions. Furthermore, the dialogue aims to promote a culture of strategic foresight and provide a platform for their opinions and suggestions on this matter.

Moreover, heads of sectors, directors of departments and centers, and experts from ICESCO will participate in the pavilion’s daily activities. Their involvement will entail an overview of the Organization’s efforts in the fields of education, science, and culture, especially those focused on children and youth. Additionally, seminars will be held on topics such as the Arabic language, heritage preservation and valorization, literary and artistic production for children and youth, and digital culture. The pavilion will also feature competitions and creative drawing workshops.

It is worth mentioning that this edition of the International Children’s and Youth Book Fair sees the participation of 255 exhibitors representing 33 countries, displaying thousands of books dedicated to children and youth across seven major exhibition halls, along with spaces for distinctive cultural and entertainment activities.

The third session of the International Conference on Combating Violent Extremism kicked off, on Tuesday (November 14, 2023), at ICESCO’s headquarters, in Rabat. This event, being held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence, and in cooperation with the Moroccan General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, the Mohammadia League of Scholars and the Policy Center for the New South, brings together high-level officials and representatives of international and regional organizations, in addition to an elite group of experts and researchers in the field of countering extremism.

The two-day conference, being held under the theme “Scientific Knowledge in Countering Violent Extremism,” began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an introduction delivered by Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Director of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

During the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, gave an address, wherein he stressed that violent extremism did not appear out of thin air, but rather has many roots, adding that confronting this phenomenon begins by eradicating these roots, and indicating that extremism is not exclusive to a specific faith, region or nationality.

Moreover, the Director-General of ICESCO warned of the growing use of communication technology by violent extremist groups, especially artificial intelligence applications, explaining that children are affected by the consequences of the violent behavior nurtured through video games, which facilitate their recruitment by extremists in the future. He concluded his address by condemning the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian territories, which disrespect all international laws and norms.

In his address, Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed that scientific knowledge is capable of immunizing people against extremist ideas, indicating the Kingdom’s keenness to adopt a national approach to combat terrorism and confront the causes of extremist ideologies.

Mr. Weixiong Chen, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Committee at the Security Council, explained that terrorist and violent extremist groups seek to exploit environmental crises, poverty, weak governance and human rights violations to recruit more members.

For her part, Ms. Amina Bouayach, President of the National Council for Human Rights in Morocco, reaffirmed that the phenomenon of violent extremism represents a real threat to the democratic value systems and human rights. Dr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Harfash, Vice-President of Naif University for Security Sciences for Foreign Relations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, praised the conference, which is consistent with the university’s efforts in the field of combating extremist ideology.

In his address, Mr. Hakim Bendaoud, representative of Morocco General Directorate of National Security, stressed that the security approach to confront terrorism cannot succeed alone, stressing that a comprehensive approach is needed to address and prevent all aspects and causes of extremism. Ambassador Mohamed Lolishki, senior researcher at the Policy Center for the New South, indicated that the spread of terrorism imposed the need to address this phenomenon in a comprehensive manner based on national strategies and international cooperation.

In his statement, Mr. Abdelouahed Jamali Idrissi, coordinator of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Morocco, tackled the difficulties and challenges facing former prisoners in their reintegration into society. Mr. Carlos Alexandre Montrio Reyes, Head of the Office of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism and Training Program in Africa, stressed the importance of education as a tool for combating extremism.

In his address, Dr. Mustafa Al-Razrazi, head of the Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence, highlighted the topics that the conference will discuss throughout its sessions with the aim of exchanging national and international expertise and experiences on confronting violent extremism.

After that, the first session of the conference began on the behavioral and psychological aspects related to recruitment and rejecting extremism. The second session discussed the role of knowledge in confronting extremism. The second day of the conference includes exchanging national and international experiences and expertise on extremism rejection programs and the danger of using technology and artificial intelligence in extremism, as well as experiences and good practices sharing on the return of foreign fighters and their families.

On Monday, 13 November 2023, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, accompanied by an Azerbaijani delegation including Dr. Murad Huseynov, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Ambassador Nazim Samedov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Morocco.

At the outset of the meeting, attended by several heads of sectors and departments within the Organization, Dr. AlMalik welcomed Mr. Bayramov, stressing the distinguished partnership and cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, noting the crucial role of the latter as one of the Member States actively supporting ICESCO’s initiatives, programs, and activities. Dr. AlMalik expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to President Ilham Aliyev for his continuous support of ICESCO.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister commended ICESCO for supporting its Member States within its areas of expertise. He affirmed the deep appreciation of Azerbaijan’s political leadership for the Organization and its commitment to bolstering its programs and initiatives in the fields of education, science, and culture.

The meeting discussed the prominent initiatives and programs implemented by ICESCO, including the Young Professionals Program launched in 2022 with financial support from Azerbaijan. This program provides young talents in the Islamic world with the opportunity to undergo 24 months of professional training in ICESCO’s sectors, departments, and centers. Furthermore, the meeting also reviewed upcoming joint programs and projects, notably the celebration of Shusha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic world 2024

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Bayramov met with the first group of participants in the said Program coming from 10 countries. The Minister congratulated them on their selection for this distinguished program, emphasizing its potential to develop their leadership and professional skills, which would contribute to the advancement of education, science, and culture in their countries.

Subsequently, the ICESCO Director-General, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, and the accompanying delegation visited the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently hosted at ICESCO Headquarters. The exhibition utilizes modern presentation techniques to narrate and document in detail the life of our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and is part of the partnership between the organization, the Muslim World League, and the Mohammedan League of Scholars.