Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Simon Martin, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the UK in the fields of education, science and culture.
During the meeting, held Thursday, October 26, 2023, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations which both adopt openness to all parties and support building partnerships for the benefit of its Member States and Muslim communities across the globe. The Director-General also shed light on ICESCO’s key programs and activities, especially in the field of youth and women’s capacity-building and training in leadership for peace and security. He added that the Organization also accords special attention to anchoring the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue and promoting investment in the fields of technology, AI and space sciences, expressing his keenness to build fruitful partnership between the Organization and a number of British institutions active in the fields of education, science and culture.
For his part, Mr. Martin commended the roles ICESCO assumes in service of developing the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, stating that he looks forward to building cooperation relations with the Organization.
The meeting discussed and reviewed the implementation mechanisms of a number of cooperation proposals for the upcoming period, including providing scholarships for the Islamic world youth to study in prestigious British universities, creating scientific chairs in these universities, and collaborating with British institutions to support ICESCO’s programs and projects in several countries in needs, within the Organization’s areas of competence.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Sector of Social and Human Sciences, Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Head of the Education Sector, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation.
Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik took Mr. Martin on a tour of the different pavilions and sections of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. At the end of the tour, the British Ambassador expressed his delight at visiting this scientific edifice, stating that it represents an encyclopedic reference for all those interested in human history.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received the prestigious Justina Mutale Award for Women Empowerment and Iconic Leadership, at the 2023 World Summit on Women and Girls, organized by the Justina Mutale Foundation and the Hands Across Philadelphia Foundation, in Pennsylvania, USA, from 20 to 22 October, under the theme, “AI and Female Leadership in the Digital Age.”
So far, 30 heads of state and government from different countries of the world have received this award. Presenting such an Award to ICESCO and its Director General stands witness to the global recognition of the Organization’s great contributions to building the capacities of women and girls, and nurturing their creativity in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, science and culture.
Dr. AlMalik received the Award from Dr. Justina Mutale, Founder and President of the Justina Mutale Foundation, at a gala dinner held on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
In his remark, the Director-General stated that the World Summit on Women and Girls is an occasion to celebrate the great achievements and progress made in pursuit of gender equality and take stock of persisting challenges. He added that it is also an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who defied stereotypes, and marched ahead towards building societies where opportunities are equal, regardless of gender, and fighting for more justice and inclusion.
Likewise, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO is committed to building the capacities of women and girls to ensure their participation in all fields to achieve the welfare of societies, calling on everyone to participate in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and be inspired by the stories of women and girls whose achievements are celebrated at the Summit, in order to build a prosperous future without discrimination.
Prior to the Award ceremony, Dr. AlMalik and Ms. Amina Gharib Faqim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, took part in a discussion panel on the importance of achieving gender equality through innovation, technology and education by exchanging ideas on emerging generational opportunities and challenges in the field of women’s leadership in the digital age.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two parties in areas of shared interest.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Thiaw for his participation in the Ninth Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, organized by ICESCO, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday 19 October 2023, under the theme “Toward Achieving Green Transformation in the Islamic World.”
Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik pointed out that ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations embrace openness and collaboration with all, and aim to serve humanity and contribute to overcoming the global challenges in the fields of education, science, culture, and environment protection.
On his part, Mr. Thiaw extended his gratitude to Dr. AlMalik for the invitation to the Conference, allowing him to gain insight into the Organization’s efforts, in collaboration with its Member States, to enhance environmental initiatives. He further commended ICESCO’s dedicated endeavors in the area of environment protection, addressing climate change, and alleviating its adverse effects.
The meeting also discussed proposals for collaboration between ICESCO and the UNCCD regarding youth capacity building and training. Both organizations agreed to maintain coordination to study the proposed activities in which ICESCO will participate during the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention (COP 16), to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next year.
Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Dr. Tony Chan, President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and together discussed prospects of cooperation between the two parties in the fields of fostering scientific research and supporting young entrepreneurs through modern tech applications and innovation.
During the meeting, held at KAUST’s headquarters in Jeddah on Wednesday, 18 October 2023, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the main axes of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, and the key programs it implements to support its Member States in technology, innovation and the promotion of scientific research, especially those geared towards women and youth.
Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO adopts openness to cooperation with universities, given their vital role in training and building youth’s capacities to confront future challenges, stating that the Organization created several scientific chairs in several prominent universities inside and outside the Islamic world. He also stressed ICESCO’s keenness to build a fruitful partnership with KAUST, known for its distinct experiences and advanced educational programs. For his part, Dr. Tony Chan welcomed the visit of the ICESCO Director-General and his delegation to KAUST and mentioned that several of KAUST’s programs are consistent with the objectives of some of ICESCO’s initiatives, especially regarding supporting youth’s tech and innovation projects.
The meeting also examined prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and KAUST to promote scientific research, notably establishing a chair of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University to launch a set of training and research programs, exchanging experiences in the field and raising awareness of the importance of institutional development in this field.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue communication and coordination to arrange cooperation plans and take the necessary steps to establish an ICESCO chair at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
Participants in the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, sent two letters of gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister, may Allah protect them.
The letter was addressed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and co-signed by Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadli, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, President of the Conference, and Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, on behalf of the conference participants, conveyed their utmost gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for the continued generous support and benevolent contributions extended to the sessions of the Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World and other regional and international environmental initiatives, as the conference concludes its proceedings on Thursday 19 October 2023.
They seized this opportunity to express their deep appreciation for the leading developmental achievements accomplished in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under his wise leadership. They also highly commend his successful efforts in achieving significant structural reforms in the fields of the environment, green transformation, and sustainable development, which have placed the Kingdom in a leading position on the Islamic world level.
In the letter addressed to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the conference members expressed their deepest gratitude and appreciation for his generous support and significant efforts in serving the environmental and sustainable development causes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Islamic world. They also commended his endeavors to strengthen cooperation and joint action about the environment, to provide a more sustainable, secure, and prosperous tomorrow for the current and future generations.
Moreover, the conference participants expressed their appreciation of the leading initiative “Green Saudi Arabia,” which His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has expanded regionally and internationally under the “Green Middle East” initiative, reaffirming their support for these two leading initiatives and their commitment to their success. They also praised His Highness’s strategic vision to support innovation, leadership, enhance development and welfare, and achieve a greener and more sustainable future at the national, regional, and international levels.
Participants in the Ninth Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, on Thursday (October 19, 2023), condemned the military escalation of the Israeli occupation in Gaza Strip that resulted in a large number of civilian casualties as well as the destruction of the environment and necessities of life by targeting hospitals, educational, cultural and scientific institutions and infrastructure, and imposing a complete siege of the Strip.
“Within the context of the outcomes of the emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, held in Jeddah, on 18 October 2023, upon an initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and under its presidency, to discuss the latest developments in Gaza Strip, we express our strong condemnation of the tragic events that the brotherly Palestinian people are exposed to, especially what is currently happening in and around the Gaza Strip; condemn the military escalation that causes casualties among civilians, the destruction of the environment and the basic necessities of life; the targeting of hospitals, educational, cultural and scientific institutions and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and the imposition of a total siege on it, and also denounce the calls for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza, which is inconsistent with international humanitarian law,” stressed the Declaration.
Moreover, the Declaration also stressed “the need to protect civilians, provide for their necessary humanitarian needs, including the right to education and health care, and allow the delivery of the basic necessary medical and relief aid to the residents of Gaza, and call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and act swiftly to avoid further casualties among civilians, especially among the sick, the injured, children, women and the elderly, and the occurrence of a humanitarian, environmental and health catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, and put an end to the massive destruction targeting the environment, human beings and various living organisms.”
At the close of its proceedings, today, Thursday, October 19, 2023, the Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World issued the Jeddah Declaration on Green Transformation. The Conference was organized by Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented in its Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
The Declaration extended thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the Conference and put forth several recommendations in the field of environment protection, ways to mitigate the socio-economic and environmental impact of climate change in the Islamic world, and means to promote the role of the green economy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The participants also undertook to implement the orientations and commitment contained in the Declaration, in coordination with the various competent parties concerned in the Member States, ICESCO’s General Directorate and the international and regional organizations concerned.
The Conference also commended the two leading initiatives, “Saudi Green Initiative” and “Middle East Green Initiative,” reaffirming their commitment to supporting them and contributing to their success and outreach.
Moreover, the Declaration strongly condemned the tragic events that the Palestinian people are exposed to, especially what is currently happening in and around the Gaza Strip; denounced the military escalation that caused casualties among civilians, the destruction of the environment and the basic necessities of life; and called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and act swiftly to avoid more casualties, and the occurrence of a humanitarian, environmental and health catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
On another note, the Declaration welcomed the outcomes of the 27th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in November 2022, notably the agreement on a just transition action program and mechanisms for funding losses and damages, including the establishment of a fund for this purpose. It also welcomed and supported the “Climate/Refugee Nexus Initiative” launched by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which aims to strengthen the resilience of countries that suffer from the negative effects of climate change and host large numbers of refugees.
Afterward, the Conference participants submitted two letters of thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may Allah preserve them.
During its working sessions, the Conference commended the documents and projects presented by ICESCO’s General Directorate, the Report of the Sixth Meeting of the Executive Bureau of the Environment in the Islamic World, and the discussions and deliberations that have taken place among the Ministers and heads of delegations taking part in the Conference, with a view of exchanging ideas and experiences on the protection of the environment and green transformation.
Dr. AlMalik gave a closing remark where he lauded the sense of responsibility and the spirit of cooperation manifested during the Conference, stating that the Organization commits to implement the adopted programs, projects and visions and considers the observations it has received concerning the Jeddah Declaration.
The Ninth Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World kicked off today, Thursday, 19 October 2023, in Jeddah, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, under the theme, “Toward Achieving Green Transformation in the Islamic World.” The Conference brought together high-caliber participation, notably environment ministers, delegations of ICESCO Member States and representatives of the regional and international environment, climate and agriculture organizations.
The opening session began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the address of Eng. Abdulrahman A. AlFadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and President of the Conference, who stressed the importance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches to environment protection, as evidenced by the creation of a fund and five specialized environment centers covering all environmental issues.
He also stated that the Islamic world needs to join forces to protect the environment and ensure its sustainability, in light of the current challenges, calling for exchanging experiences and adopting the best environmental practices to sustain it for future generations.
For his part, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, extended his thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, may Allah preserve them, for hosting this major event, stressing that ICESCO places environment issues at the top of its priorities and works tirelessly to find solutions to environmental dilemmas.
He also called upon decision-makers to further invest in and support the green economy and come up with new innovative solutions by capitalizing on the digital, information and artificial intelligence applications in addition to space sciences.
Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik underscored the significance of environmental issues for the Islamic world, given its vital geo-environmental location, which calls for community mobilization, especially among women, to support these issues. He also highlighted ICESCO Member States’ efforts in this regard, notably the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s “Middle East Green Initiative,” the Arab Republic of Egypt’s hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27), and the State of the United Arab Emirates’ future organization of COP28.
At the close of his remark, Dr. AlMalik announced that the Organization will launch five scientific chairs dedicated to environmental issues in five universities across the Islamic World, to be added to its “Reforestation for Sustainable Development” initiative, launched this year by planting 50,000 trees in Mauritania and Togo, to plant 50 million trees by 2030. Dr. AlMalik also underlined the Organization’s commitment to supporting small-scale farmers in adopting smart agriculture; emphasized ICESCO’s readiness, as part of its Year of Youth activities, to support a youth-led mock Environment Conference and adopt its recommendations; and expressed the Organization’s keen interest to collaborate with the parties concerned to develop the Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management.
Speaking next, Mr. Hissein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), pointed out that the Islamic World is among the regions experiencing escalating impacts of global climate change. He stated that, as temperatures continue to rise, the Islamic World is faced with a multitude of environmental challenges that necessitate proactive management. He further highlighted the substantial contributions made by Islamic countries in mitigating the negative impact of climate change, along with their dedicated commitments and initiatives in the environmental field.
As the Conference Guest, Mr. Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), stated that ISO norms and standards are key instruments for achieving sustainable development, stressing the importance of joint international action in successfully protecting the environment and making a positive impact.
Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which will hold the next session of its Conference of the Parties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next year, emphasized the importance of striking a balance between traditional wisdom and technological advancements to combat drought, protect the environment, and achieve a sustainable, green future, reaffirming his commitment to promoting collaboration with Islamic countries and ICESCO.
Following the Conference’s opening session, awards and certificates were presented to 22 contestants from 18 ICESCO Member States, who won one of the four categories of the third edition of the Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World.
Subsequently, the Conference’s working sessions began with the adoption of the Draft Agenda and Draft Programme, and the election of the members of its Bureau, with Saudi Arabia as Chair, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as Vice-Chair, and the Republic of Guinea as Rapporteur. Moreover, the members of the Executive Bureau for Environment in the Islamic World, whose General Secretariat is overseen by ICESCO, were appointed, namely Palestine, Djibouti, Oman, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Brunei Darussalam, and Kyrgyzstan.
The opening session of the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, witnessed the awards ceremony of the third session of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World (KSAAEM), which is organized under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. 22 winners from 18 countries received KSAAEM prizes.
In his address during the award ceremony, Dr. Osama bin Ibrahim Faqiha, Undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Chairman of the Award’s High Committee, reviewed the details and stages of the third session of the Award, commending the efforts of the candidates, whose studies, research and experiences contribute to enhancing scientific research and innovation in the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, Secretary-General of the Award; and Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presented the winners with the prize money, certificates and honorary shields. The first prize in the research, achievements and successful practices category went to Dr. Mohammed Othman Eid Al-Jahdali from Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ali Anad Muhaisen Al-Fouadi from Iraq; the second prize went to Dr. Heba Al-Rahman Ahmed Hafez Mustafa Al-Sabbagh from Egypt, and Dr. Asma Fahd Al-Ateeq from Kuwait while Dr. Abdul Hakim Shatwi, Dr. Mounir Bahous from Morocco, and Dr. Abdullah Qaed Al Suwaidi from Qatar received the third prize.
In the category of pioneering practices and activities for public benefit and civil society associations in Member States, the first prize was won by the Plastic Bank Association from Indonesia, and MYGREENDATA from Mali. The second prize went to the Environment and Development Organization from Yemen, and Green Balochistan from Pakistan, while the third place was won by the Trident Club Association from Algeria, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees from Palestine.
In the category of women’s pioneering activities in environmental action ‘the Women’s Award for Leadership in Private or Governmental Sector Institutions,’ the first prize was won by Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri from the United Arab Emirates, and the second place went to Dr. Hasna Kaji from Morocco.
In the ‘Women’s Award for Research, Achievements and Successful Practices,’ the first place was won by Dr. Hanan Al-Mahashir from Saudi Arabia, and the second place was won by Dr. Lobat Taghavi from Iran. As for the ‘Women’s Award in Public Benefit Associations and NGOs,’ the first place was won by Dr. Wahiba Thuray Essedik from Libya, and the second place was won by Dr. Sharifa Abdul Carim Macarand from the Philippines.
In the environmentally friendly green city category, an honorary award was given to the three best environmentally friendly cities in the Islamic world, namely Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, Greater Amman Municipality in Jordan, and Penang Island in Malaysia.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and together explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in areas of common interest.
At the outset, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented in its Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, for hosting the Ninth Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, to be held in Jeddah, on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
The Director-General also stressed the Organization’s keenness to promote cooperation with the Ministry, commending the special partnership between the two in organizing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World (KSAAEM), which the Ministry chairs and ICESCO oversees its General Secretariat. The KSAAEM award ceremony will be held during the Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World to hand out prizes to its third edition’s 22 winners from 18 countries, distributed over its four categories.
For his part, Eng. Al-Fadli stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen to develop cooperation relations with ICESCO and with the countries of the Islamic world to face the challenges and negative impact of climate change on water and food security, expressing the Ministry’s readiness to exchange successful Saudi expertise and experiences regarding water desalination and various environmental initiatives.
Likewise, the Meeting addressed the importance of joint environment action through practical and innovative initiatives that can be measured and developed to ensure their success and meet the needs and priorities of each country.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to sustain coordination to promote cooperation in several projects and programs.
