Category: Director General

On Saturday 28 October 2023, the second edition of ICESCO Marathon, themed “Together for Social Solidarity,” was successfully organized in partnership between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, Sports, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication in Morocco, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), the Royal Moroccan Federation of School Sports, the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, with sponsorship from various Moroccan institutions.

The marathon started in front of the ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, covered a 9-kilometer distance and witnessed the participation of various organizers and ambassadors of ICESCO Member States, alongside participants from different age and social categories.

The second edition of the ICESCO Marathon aimed to emphasize the importance of sports in promoting values of coexistence, peace, and social cohesion, enhancing the resilience of communities, and contributing to the physical and mental well-being in the Islamic world, with a special focus on individuals with special needs.

Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO’s Director-General, and Mr. Jamal Eddine EL Aloua, the Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission, gave the starting signal, with participants from different categories, including children under 15, adults, senior people over 40, and people with special needs, competing passionately for the top positions.

At the end of the marathon, medals and prizes were awarded to the winners, commemorative photos were taken, and participation certificates were handed out to acknowledge the efforts of the participants and their commitment to supporting social solidarity and promoting a sports spirit in the community.

In his speech after awarding the prizes, Dr. AlMalik emphasized the Organization’s commitment to leveraging sports to enhance the impact of its programs and projects, recognizing the significant influence of sports on all age groups and its utmost importance in building healthy and cohesive societies. He also expressed gratitude to all participants and parties involved in the organization of the marathon.

Moreover, the Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Committee highlighted the marathon’s role in affirming the solidarity of all segments of the Moroccan society, particularly evident in the wake of the recent Al Haouz earthquake.

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.