Category: Director General

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.

The participants in the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and hosted by the State of Qatar, represented in its Ministry of Culture, under the theme “Towards the Renewal of Cultural Action in the Islamic World,” on 25-26 September 2023, sent a letter of gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, for hosting the conference and the continued support provided to joint Islamic action in the cultural field and in all areas serving sustainable development in the Islamic world.

The message, delivered by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, at the close of the Conference, conveys the deep appreciation and gratitude of the participants, including ministers and high-level officials, as well as the representatives of international organizations and institutions, to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, may Allah protect him, for his successful efforts in developing national cultural action, upgrading cultural industries, promoting the public art and making it accessible to the public, highlighting cultural and heritage treasures of the State of Qatar, and ensuring its international outreach.

The participants also commended the outstanding success of the celebration activities of Doha as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2021, as well as the world’s recognition of the excellent organization of the FIFA World Cup, which demonstrated the synergy between the sporting and cultural dimensions. These events showcased a variety of activities aimed at introducing the values of authentic culture for which Qatar and the Islamic world, in general, are renowned.

The 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic world, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and hosted by the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Culture, in Doha, issued the “Doha Declaration on the Renewal of Cultural Action in the Islamic World,” at the close of its proceedings.

The Declaration features several recommendations on renewing cultural action, protecting and valorizing heritage in the Islamic World, enhancing the role of cultural economy in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, and developing and keeping up with cultural policies.

Furthermore, the Doha Declaration commended ICESCO’s initiatives in the fields of heritage protection, preservation, and valorization, the generalization of cultural economy mechanisms and strategies, the establishment of the violet economy concept and sustainable cultural markets, and unification and development of cultural indicators in the Islamic World. It also expressed support for the Organization’s initiative to set an 18th development goal to be added to the 17 SDGs by 2030, aimed at enhancing the role of culture in development.

Moreover, the Declaration welcomed the initiatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, namely the launch of the “Culture Index in the Islamic World” Project, in partnership with ICESCO, and the “Hajj Routes” Program to be launched in collaboration between the Saudi Ministry of Culture, ICESCO, and the Saudi National Committee.

The Conference also released a statement of solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco and Libya in facing the aftermath of the Al Haouz earthquake and Storm Daniel, reaffirming the willingness of participating States to provide all necessary resources and assistance to both countries.
The Conference expressed thanks to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, for hosting this Conference in Doha and for providing all the necessary resources, means, and facilities for its success.

While chairing the two sessions of the Conference’s closing day, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, the Minister of Culture of the State of Qatar and president of the Conference, expressed his appreciation to ICESCO for its successful preparation for the Conference. He also lauded the Organization’s efforts in supporting and renewing cultural action in its Member States through innovative programs and initiatives.

During the third working session, the heads of the delegation delivered their remarks, fostering an exchange of insights, engaging in constructive discussions aimed at renewing cultural action in the Islamic world, and reaching a consensus on the necessary methods and mechanisms for achieving this goal.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, expressed his gratitude to the State of Qatar for hosting the current session of the Conference and for providing all the necessary resources to ensure the Conference’s success. He commended the sense of responsibility and cooperation that prevailed throughout the Conference and reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to implementing the approved programs, projects, and visions. He also stated that ICESCO had taken into consideration all the feedback received regarding the Doha Declaration.