Category: Director General

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed three agreements for cooperation and partnerships in the field of technology and innovation, on November 28, 2022, respectively with the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the World Business Angels Investment Forum, and the MILO Space Science Institute in the United States, during the conclusion of ICESCO’s Youth Training Programme on how to establish and develop small businesses in the field of technology and innovation.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, signed the first agreements with Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Pakistani Higher Education Commission. It includes joint action between the two parties to establish joint research projects and training programs in the field of higher education from 2023 to 2027 to promote the academic performance of researchers and university students of ICESCO Member States.

The second agreement was signed with Mr. Baybars Altuntas, Chairman of the World Business Angels Investment Forum, an affiliate partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), to build cooperation for implementing initiatives, programs and joint projects in the field of supporting the economic development of emerging companies in the countries of the Islamic world.

The third agreement was signed with Mr. David E. Thomas, Executive Director of the MILO Space Science Institute, signed the third agreement, which aims at implementing joint programs between ICESCO and the Institute to build capacity in the field of space sciences, entrepreneurship, technology, and youth development in the ICESCO Member States.

After the signing, Dr. AlMalik commended the three distinguished partnerships, hoping that the cooperation agreements would be a good start to support and assist young entrepreneurs and investors in Islamic countries and to pave the way toward better opportunities in the field of modern and advanced technologies. ICESCO’s partners, signatories to the agreements, expressed their happiness for the cooperation of their institutions with the Organization and with the countries of the Islamic world.

On Monday (November 28, 2022), the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Rabat, witnessed a major international celebration marking the conclusion of the ICESCO Youth Training Programme on the Development of Small Technology and Innovation Businesses, with the participation of the 18 winning teams in the Programme’s competitions, which were held in six countries. The winners presented their projects before the jury, which selected 3 teams to receive funding for their projects.

The celebration witnessed high-level participation, including international officials, ministers, donor institutions and experts in the field of technology and scientific research.

It saw several discussion sessions on the importance of developing startups and qualifying women through entrepreneurship in the era of technology and digitization.

The celebration began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a summary of the previous stages of the programme presented by Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector.

In the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, underscored that the Organization seeks to promote creativity through its programmes, activities and forward-looking vision aimed at helping young entrepreneurs achieve economic development in their countries.

He also congratulated the participants in the programme, which was launched in 2021, aiming at promoting and sustaining start-ups in the Islamic world, launching more than 150 startups by the end of 2025, training more than 500 entrepreneurs, and developing about 60 creative project ideas.

In his address, Dr. Younes Sekkouri, Moroccan Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, stressed the importance of innovation for countries’ development and positive change, and the need to provide a suitable environment for young people to encourage creativity and consolidate innovation.

Afterward, in the high-level session on the importance of startups and future inclusive technology, the floor was given to Dr. AlMalik, Dr. Sekkouri, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and Dr. Mokhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education in the Republic of Pakistan. Mr. Baybars Altuntas, President of the World Business Angels Investment Forum, moderated this session.

The two following sessions discussed ‘qualifying women through entrepreneurship in the digital era: trends and challenges,’ and ‘Start-ups… success stories and secrets,’ respectively.

After that, the 18 winning teams in competitions, held in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Nigeria, presented their projects to the jury, which consisted of experts and specialists in the fields of entrepreneurship and technology, to announce and award prizes to the three winners.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation from the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, headed by Dr. Sara Al-Otaibi, IPA Deputy Director-General for Partnerships and Business Development, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and IPA in the areas of common interest.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Sunday (November 27, 2022) at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reiterated his thanks to IPA and its Director General, Dr. Bandar bin Asad Al-Sajan, for their cooperation and the study conducted to develop the organizational structure of ICESCO.

He also reviewed the mainlines of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, which are based on openness and partnership with all parties to serve the Islamic world through the implementation of a set of initiatives, programmes and projects aimed at building the capacities of women and youth, consolidating the values ​​of coexistence, tolerance and civilizational dialogue, respecting cultural diversity, and encouraging investment in modern technology potentials to achieve sustainable development.

For her part, Dr. Sara Al-Otaibi commended ICESCO’s role in serving its Member States and reviewed IPA’s efforts in the field of administrative organization and administrative development since its inception in 1961.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to cooperate with a view to preparing an agreement for implementing a set of programmes and projects for the benefit of a number of Member States.

Afterwards, Dr. AlMalik took IPA delegation on a tour of the exhibition of the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, at ICESCO headquarters.

The delegation included Ms. Majd Al-Malki, Director of Gender Balance Statistics at the Gender Balance Center, and Ms. Hala Al-Saedi, Director of Local and Community Partnerships. The meeting also brought together Dr. Nidal Abuzuhri, Director of the Department of Administrative Affairs, Ms. Ramata Almami Mbaye, Head of Social and Human Sciences Sector, and Mr. Sami El-Kamhawy, Director of Information and Institutional Communication Department.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Thursday (24 November 2022), in Tangier, Morocco, officially launched the 2022 edition of its Leadership Training for Peace and Security Programme (LTIPS) and the International Workshop on Youth Projects Incubator for Peace, in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, with the aim of training and mobilizing youth to contribute to building peace and consolidating social cohesion.

The launch ceremony saw high-level participation, including ministers, experts and representatives of specialized regional and international institutions. The event was an opportunity for the 50 young people, who were selected from 45 countries, to interact with decision-makers and inspiring leaders to become ICESCO Ambassadors for Peace by the end of the Programme.

At the outset of the opening session, Ms. Ramata Almami Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector of ICESCO, emphasized the Organization’s increasing interest in young people through LTIPs, which places them at the center of the peace-building process. His Excellency Mr. Ghazali Othmani, President of the Comoros, commended the values of peace, security and social cohesion, which are the focus of LTIPS and prove that ICESCO seeks to promote these principles in the Islamic world.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, expressed his happiness to meet future leaders, stressing that this event is an opportunity to enhance the concepts of partnership in the field of youth.

He also pointed out that LTIPS has become a leading programme, which strengthens ICESCO’s vision in the field of peacebuilding and supports the Organization’s “360° Peace Approach.”

For his part, Mr. Mostafa Masoudi, Secretary General of the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Youth Sector), reiterated the Ministry’s support for ICESCO’s programmes on youth and peace-building. Mr. Yayi Boni, former President of the Republic of Benin, commended ICESCO’s efforts and outstanding programmes in the field of security and peace dispatching its ambassadors to bring peace inside and outside the Islamic world.

Mr. Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bangladesh, stressed that building security means harmony and social cohesion among members of society, pointing out his country’s initiatives and activities that support policies to advance youth as future leaders.

In his address, Mr. Bakary Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of The Gambia, stressed the need to develop programmes likely to achieve peace and security worldwide. Mr. Ikbog Ikimokode, Founder and President of “Aji Imokhwede” Foundation in Nigeria, said that the role of ICESCO peace ambassadors is to transmit the principles and teachings they receive in LTIPS to their communities.

At the end of the opening session, the representative of the 2022 edition of LTIPS shared a message, stressing the importance of youth and their role in consolidating peace and security through their aspirations and ambitions to build a better future.

Afterward, the participants took part in various sessions on the various dimensions of the 360° Peace Approach, intergenerational dialogue and workshops on how to design and implement peace projects and initiatives.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that building peace is a shared responsibility, whose achievement necessitates the engagement of all members of the society. He added that multilateral action plays a vital role in fostering positive cooperation and exchanging expertise among civilizations to build a culture of peace, tolerance and coexistence to ultimately achieve comprehensive development and desired progress.

Dr. AlMalik made this statement in his address, today, Wednesday, November 23, 2022, during the session on fostering multilateral action through a culture of peace, as part of the 9th Global Forum of the Alliances of Civilizations (UNAOC), which concludes its proceedings today in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco. The session featured remarks by Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, UNAOC High Representative, and Dr. Anar Karimov, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Director-General first commended the theme of the session, given its close-knit relation to the lived reality, which is characterized by aspects of globalization and multilateralism, noting that it is necessary to reflect on the culture and practices of multilateral action to build peaceful and inclusive societies.

He added that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the class differences in the world and added to societal alienation, which in turn contributed to the increase in conflicts among countries. He stated that this session urges us to promote partnerships and devise policies to build peace in our societies to overcome crises and achieve sustainable development.

Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s programs in the field of promoting the culture of peace, namely the Leadership Training for Peace and Security Program, and the Program of Integrating ICESCO’s Peace 360° Approach in Academic Spheres, which aims to promote curricula in the field of building peace and security in the ICESCO Member States. The Director-General also cast light on the Young Professionals Programme and the Leaderships Incubator, which both aim to build young people’s leadership and professional capacities, hold several training sessions and workshops, and provide scholarships for the Member States’ youth to study in a number of prestigious universities across the globe.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. António Vitorino, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of common interest and mobilize efforts to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday (November 22, 2022), in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, as part of their participation in the 9th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States in the fields of education, science and culture, and its keenness to cooperate with all parties to implement innovative programmes and projects around the world.

He pointed out that ICESCO attaches great importance to its programmes and projects to support immigrants and their children, sponsor and build the capacities of youth and women, and provide them with training on leadership for peace and security in order to consolidate the values of coexistence and intercultural dialogue.

The two parties agreed to hold a series of expert meetings to renew the memorandum of understanding signed between the two organizations and develop joint programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue.

The meeting saw the participation of Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, Ms. Rime Jirari, Head of Organizations and Bodies Department at ICESCO, as well as Mr. Hassan Mustafa Abdel-Moneim, Advisor to IOM Director-General for North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, and Ms. Laura Palatini, Head of IOM’s Mission in Morocco.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Sultanbai Raev, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), held a meeting and together discussed prospects of cooperation between the two organizations in the fields of promoting culture and civilizational dialogue and safeguarding heritage in the Islamic world.

During the meeting, held on Monday, November 22, 2022, in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, as part of the two officials’ participation in the 9th Global Forum for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO is working toward documenting and safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world through inscribing heritage sites and cultural elements on the Islamic world heritage lists and organizing training sessions for experts in this field to train them on the process of preparing inscription files.

For his part, Mr. Raev commended ICESCO’s efforts in the field of safeguarding cultural heritage expressing his organization’s readiness to develop joint programs and activities with ICESCO, particularly regarding the Program of the Celebration of Culture Capitals in the Islamic World.

The two parties agreed to renew their cooperation agreement to provide for the implementation of several programs and projects and the organization of several conferences focusing on safeguarding heritage, highlighting the Islamic civilization, promoting cultural tourism, fostering dialogue among cultures and civilizations and countering violence and extremism.

The meeting was attended by a number of ICESCO officials, namely Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Amb. Khalid Farhalrahman, Head of the Center of Civilizational Dialogue, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, head of the Sector of Social and Human Sciences, Ms. Amina Fadil, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperatio

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that the Alliance of Civilizations is not a luxurious or elitist matter, but rather a human need that requires us to look courageously at the aspects of ills and gaps in order to address them. He considered that the warning signs of global conflict today are signs of civilizational tendencies more than evidence of conflicting economic interests and competition over natural resources, noting that civilizational alliance is an integrated system composed of the values of all people.

This came in his address at the 9th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which kicked off on November 22, 2022, in the city of Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, under the theme: “Towards an Alliance of Peace: Living Together as One Humanity.” The Forum, which began with the royal message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morocco, saw the participation of high-caliber international officials, mainly Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, as well as several Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Culture, from different countries to promote dialogue and build bridges of peace between peoples.

In his address, ICESCO Director-General pointed out that the main challenge facing the Alliance of Civilizations today lies in the ability to address a human community open to understanding and alliance, highlighting that humanity is facing a historic human challenge, which requires paving the way for justice, fraternity and equality, and combating hunger, ignorance and disease.

He pointed out that it is necessary to pay attention to the development of the virtual world in terms of illegal trafficking of cultural property and the dissemination of hate speech, calling for action to harness this development in an ideal legal manner. He noted that youth are essential for the future civilizational alliance; if we succeed in giving them the keys to the future, we will succeed in ensuring the sustainability and renewal of the Alliance of Civilizations.

Dr. AlMalik called for raising future generations on the values of the Alliance of Civilizations and tolerance, and for including the meanings of civilizational communication and human fraternity in school curricula, stressing that ICESCO cherishes these values in its vision and action strategy, as it established the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, the Center for Strategic Foresight and incubators to stimulate youth creativity.

He concluded his address by inviting the participants in the Forum to visit the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat.

ICESCO is participating in the activities and sessions of the Global Forum for the Alliance of Civilizations in Fez, with a high-level delegation headed by Dr. AlMalik, and including Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, and several Heads of Sectors and Directors of Departments and Centers of the Organization.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for consolidating museum culture and keeping pace with the technological revolution to counter its negative aspects and contribute to the enrichment of the civilizational dialogue given that museums and their treasures are a product and a legacy of civilizations, adding that museums are theaters open for all types of human creativity beyond the boundaries of time and space, and civil and social centers that help in solving crises.

This statement came in an address that Dr. AlMalik delivered, on Monday (November 21, 2022), in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, during the Forum on “Peace Museums: Spaces for Discovery, Openness to the Other and Intercultural Dialogue,” which was organized before the launch of the 9th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum, in the presence of Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of UNAOC, and a group of international figures and representatives of specialized institutions.

At the outset of his address, Dr. AlMalik highlighted that the museum is a reliable platform to share our civilizational experiences, an open theater for various types of human creativity, and civil and social center par excellence, bearing a cultural responsibility.

He raised four questions in his attempt to highlight the role of museums as one of the mechanisms of the Alliance of Civilizations. “The first question is related to the link between museum activity and the intellectual foundations that guarantee the sustainability of its productivity as thought, is a gleaming window for civilizational interaction. Thus, universities, research centers and cultural institutions should set common conceptual foundations of museum activity,” underscored Dr. AlMalik.

Afterward, Dr. AlMalik questioned the ability of museum productivity to overcome emergencies and crises as museums were at the forefront of the cultural institutions affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the third question related to the ability of museums to keep up with the communication revolution and artificial intelligence applications to ensure its sustainability.

In the fourth question, ICESCO Director-General addressed the problem of countering the negative effects of technology on the mission of museums, stressing the need to develop the laws, legislations and charters on electronic theft and illicit trafficking in cultural property.

The UNAOC Global Forum will be held in Fez, on November 22-23, 2022, in the presence of the ministers of culture of several countries as well as high-level officials of regional and international organizations, and eminent international figures. ICESCO’s delegation, headed by its Director-General, includes the Deputy Director-General and a number of heads of sector and directors of department and center.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, and his accompanying delegation, during their visit to ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, on Monday, November 21, 2022.

At the beginning of the bilateral meeting, ICESCO Director-General reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to provide all forms of support to Yemen in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. He added that ICESCO coordinates with the Yemeni National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and cooperates with several donors and regional and international organizations and bodies to implement joint programs and projects in Yemen. The Director-General stated that the goal of such initiatives is to address the country’s needs and priorities, especially with regard to issues such as combatting school dropout among girls, safeguarding heritage, building youth’s capacities and supporting them to keep up with modern technology.

Afterward, the two officials held an expanded meeting, which was attended by Amb. Azzedine Asbahi, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Morocco, the Minister’s accompanying delegation and several ICESCO’s heads of sectors and departments. Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO’s support for Yemen is part of its vision and strategic orientations, which prioritize the youth, women and children to promote their roles in achieving sustainable development in their countries. The Director-General stressed that this interest stems from the Organization’s awareness of the key roles of these groups in ensuring societies’ prosperity and progress. He added that ICESCO also accords special attention to promoting civilizational heritage through training programs for the benefit of heritage professionals, aimed at preserving heritage sites and contributing to cultural and economic development.

ICESCO’s leadership also highlighted the Organization’s major programs and initiatives, launched in cooperation with the Yemeni parties, seizing the opportunity to propose a number of ongoing programs and projects that can be implemented in Yemen
For his part, the Yemeni Minister commended ICESCO’s role to support its Member States, reaffirming Yemen’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization and benefit from its extensive expertise in its areas of competence. Dr. Mubarak also invited ICESCO to dispatch a group of experts to Yemen to take stock of the major needs in order to design suitable programs and projects.

Following the meeting, the Director-General and the Yemeni Minister toured the various pavilions of the Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat. This major civilizational project is the fruit of a strategic partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League and the Mohammadia League of Scholars in the Kingdom of Morocco, and is the first of its kind outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Exhibition and Museum seek to highlight the Prophet’s Seerah and the Islamic civilization and cast light on the lofty message of Islam and the noble virtues of the Prophet, peace be upon him. The Exhibition employs advanced technology to give visitors a real-life experience of the Seerah and historical events.