Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulates ICESCO’s Member States on the official inscription of seven sites of Outstanding Universal Value on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. ICESCO congratulates its Member States on this remarkable achievement and extends special recognition to the Republic of Sierra Leone for its first-ever inscription on the World Heritage List.
In total, ICESCO Member States succeeded in inscribing five cultural and two natural sites, as follows:
New Cultural World Heritage Inscriptions:
Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal – Republic of Tajikistan
Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains – Republic of Cameroon
Faya Palaeolandscape – United Arab Emirates
Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor – Malaysia
Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley – Islamic Republic of Iran
New Natural World Heritage Inscriptions:
Gola-Tiwai Complex – Republic of Sierra Leone
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago, Omatí Minhô – Republic of Guinea-Bissau
In parallel, ICESCO also congratulates its Member States, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Libya, on the successful removal of Abu Mena and the Old Town of Ghadamès from the List of World Heritage in Danger. This significant achievement follows the fulfillment of the World Heritage Committee’s requirements, including the effective implementation of corrective measures and the attainment of the adopted Desired State of Conservation for Removal (DSOCR).
ICESCO commends its Member States for their accomplishments and encourages continued efforts to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of the newly inscribed and existing world heritage sites.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that launching the “Be Ready” initiative from the historic land of Egypt reflects a profound vision and a sincere partnership between the state and its youth, between the present and the future. He stressed that this launch confirms that youth are at the heart of Egypt’s national development agenda. Dr. AlMalik also commended the patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and his leading role in initiating transformative projects that uplift the nation through its young people.
These statements were part of Dr. AlMalik’s address, delivered via videoconference, on Sunday, 20 July 2025, during ICESCO’s participation in the launch of the intensive training camp for career guidance centre coordinators at Egyptian universities. The camp runs from 20 to 26 July 2025, benefiting over 110 trainees, as part of the second edition of the “Be Ready” initiative, which prepares youth for the job market. It falls under the “Alliance and Development” initiative sponsored by President El-Sisi.
In his remarks, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt, describing it as a “beacon of knowledge and cradle of creativity” and a “shining star in the sky of the world.” Moreover, he praised the efforts of Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt and President of ICESCO’s General Conference, who, alongside a team of top professionals at the ministry, is leading a “progressive and innovative approach” to transform youth energy into productive national capacity through sustainable, high-impact initiatives such as “Be Ready.”
Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of the initiative as a call for every young person to prepare and take the lead in nation-building. He noted that this vision aligns with ICESCO’s strategic orientations, which place youth at the core of its civilizational project and grant them a significant role in shaping action and decision-making. He also highlighted that over 40% of ICESCO’s staff are young professionals—evidence of the Organization’s confidence in their creativity and renewal potential.
Moreover, the ICESCO Director-General shared three key messages for young people. First: investing in oneself, maintaining passion, nurturing the mind, and upholding strong values, as everyone carries an idea worth growing and a talent waiting to be heard. This, he said, calls for boldness to make the impossible achievable. Second: devotion to one’s homeland; Dr. AlMalik urged youth to express their love for their country through learning and contribution, noting that each step in building the nation is a tribute to its dignity and strength. Third: honouring one’s parents, for they are a source of God’s blessing and pleasure.
Following this, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s youth-focused initiatives that reflect its strategic commitment, such as the Young Professionals Programme, which attracted thousands of applicants seeking to build competencies in various fields; the ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors Program, selecting outstanding young people to promote mutual understanding and respect; and the ICESCO Year of Youth, which spanned over a year with impactful activities across Member States. He also cited the launch of the Innovators and Enablers Program, which he said would significantly influence the creative culture of youth in the Islamic world.
Dr. AlMalik concluded with a call to youth in Egypt and across the Islamic world: “Be ready, to be role models, sources of inspiration, the vanguard of change, the hope of Egypt and the Islamic world, and the architects of the future. Prepare to serve our Islamic world with dedication and sacrifice. You are the part of the history being written today, the torch lighting the way, the bridge between what was and what will be.”
It is worth noting that the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in partnership with ICESCO, launched the second edition of the “Be Ready” initiative on 28 April 2025, at a high-level ceremony in Cairo attended by ministers and representatives of international organizations. Under the slogan “One Million Qualified Innovators,” this edition aims to equip one million young people with future skills and connect them to the job market. The initiative is implemented in partnership with leading international entities, including the UNDP’s Knowledge Project, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, the International Labour Organization, the Global Innovation Institute, and Egypt’s Education Development Fund under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a high-level cooperation agreement with the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication (KACCC), at the Center’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Fawzan, KACCC Secretary-General, in the presence of several senior officials from both sides.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks in which Dr. Al-Fawzan presented a comprehensive overview of KACCC’s vision, mission, and core values. He also highlighted key projects, initiatives, and publications that reflect its intellectual presence and active contribution to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing as a hub for dialogue and intercultural openness.
Dr. Salim AlMalik, for his part, outlined ICESCO’s new strategic directions and highlighted its initiatives in the field of civilizational dialogue. He underscored the key role of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, which was presented in detail by Dr. Hani Albalawi, expert at the Center. Dr. Albalawi explained the Center’s central mission in promoting a culture of peace and advancing mutual understanding across the Islamic world and beyond.
The agreement marks a new milestone in the strategic partnership between both parties, aiming to develop and implement innovative initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue, foster the values of tolerance and coexistence, support cultural diversity, disseminate scientific knowledge, and bridge culture with science to achieve sustainable development goals and serve communities in Member States.
The agreement also includes cooperation in organizing dialogue forums, exchanging studies and research, conducting surveys to support evidence-based decision-making, and implementing training programs and specialized workshops to build institutional capacities and enhance their knowledge resilience.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two parties exchanged commemorative shields. Dr. Salim AlMalik praised KACCC’s efforts and innovation in producing impactful studies and initiatives, describing it as a model think tank to be showcased across the Islamic world for its data-driven approach to decision-making and policy development.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Ibrahim Al-Asimi, KACCC Deputy Secretary-General, along with several senior officials from the Center. ICESCO was represented by Dr. Hani Albalawi, Expert at ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue.
The Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science also participated, represented by Dr. Rami Alharbi, Adviser to the Secretary-General of the Commission, and Ms. Rimas Aldayel, Adviser to the Head of the Education Sector at the Commission.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), congratulated Dr. Abdulmajeed bin Abdullah Albanyan, President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, on the occasion of the University’s achievement in obtaining full academic accreditation for five years from the High Council for Evaluation of Research and Higher Education in France (Hcéres), for a number of its leading academic programs.
Dr. AlMalik praised this distinguished achievement, which reflects the University’s deep commitment to the highest standards of academic quality, sound governance, and scientific integrity, and confirms its prominent status as a reference institution in the fields of security and higher education at both the regional and international levels.
The ICESCO Director-General also reaffirmed the Organization’s great pride in its strategic partnership with Naif University, which has resulted in pioneering initiatives and distinguished intellectual gatherings that have had a significant impact in supporting Member States’ efforts in the fields of intellectual security, translation, and capacity building.
He added that this international accreditation marks a new step in Naif University’s journey toward global leadership, embodies its ambitious vision, and further reinforces the international academic community’s confidence in its programs and outcomes.
Dr. AlMalik concluded his message of congratulations by renewing ICESCO’s full support for the University, affirming that the Organization views it as an active strategic partner in building a future that is more secure, knowledgeable, and prosperous in the Islamic world.
As part of strengthening cooperation with major global companies in the fields of technology and innovation, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), paid a special visit to the Huawei headquarters in the Chinese capital, Beijing—the company’s second-largest site after its main headquarters in Shenzhen.
During the visit, the ICESCO Director-General attended a detailed presentation on Huawei’s future strategy and its key achievements, both in China and internationally, particularly in the Member States of ICESCO. He expressed great appreciation for Huawei’s role in supporting digital education, emphasizing the importance of joint cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, computing, and educational technologies, with the aim of training teachers and developing digital skills within the educational institutions of Member States.
Dr. AlMalik confirmed ICESCO’s full readiness to collaborate with Huawei to advance digital education in schools and universities, and to strengthen national capacities in the field of digital learning.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Director-General thanked the Huawei leadership for their warm reception and extended an official invitation to visit ICESCO headquarters in Rabat and to participate in its upcoming conferences by presenting insights and showcases of Huawei’s experience in advancing digital and educational development.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector for Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has published the third issue of the ICESCO Cultural Magazine, a comprehensive quarterly publication overseen by the Organization’s Culture Sector. The magazine focuses on contemporary cultural, literary, and educational issues, as well as topics from the cultural reality of the Islamic world.
The new issue features a rich collection of articles, interviews, and reports by an elite group of writers, poets, and critics, including the main dossier of the issue titled “Autobiography and Its Adjacent Genres,” which consists of five articles. It also includes a special interview with renowned Egyptian poet Dr. Hassan Talab, discussing his intellectual journey and views on contemporary Arabic poetry, and a critical review titled “The Comforting Khamisiyyat,” written by Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Ali, about the poetry collection Khamisiyyat by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO.
The issue also contains a report titled “From Baku Shines ICESCO’s Vision,” highlighting the distinguished roles of the Organization’s regional offices, a special interview with Saudi critic and translator Dr. Saad Albazei, and a study on “Green Literature,” discussing the role of literature in preserving nature. Additionally, it features an article by Amal Fawzi, media expert at the League of Arab States, titled “The Egyptian National Library: A Journey Through Islamic Heritage Across Time.”
The magazine’s pages also include a study on the intersections between the metaverse and literature by Dr. Mahmoud Eldabh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Suez Canal University, alongside a variety of content such as the use of artificial intelligence in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, and a curated selection of poems.
For those interested in reading the new issue, a free digital copy will be made available on the Organization’s official social media pages.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Chen Weiqing, Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of the official visit of ICESCO’s Director-General and his delegation to the People’s Republic of China.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s renewed civilizational vision, which focuses on promoting intercultural dialogue, protecting heritage, developing education, supporting science and innovation, and smart handling of present-day technological transformations. He also introduced the 53 Member States of the Organization.
The meeting explored ways to expand cooperation between ICESCO and China, especially in the fields of culture, education, youth, and civilizational dialogue. It also discussed the possibility of China joining ICESCO as an “observer member,” which would enhance cultural convergence and open far-reaching avenues for cooperation between China and the Islamic world. Dr. AlMalik stressed that China’s accession as an observer member would represent a qualitative leap in the path of partnership with ICESCO and provide new opportunities for joint projects and initiatives.
For his part, Mr. Chen Weiqing expressed China’s real interest in joining the Organization, noting that this matter is currently subject to official procedures within the Chinese government.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the Chinese government for the warm welcome and hospitality. Then, the two parties exchanged commemorative gifts to demonstrate the spirit of friendship and express mutual appreciation.
The meeting was attended by Anar Karimov, ICESCO’s Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, as well as a number of ministry officials.
As part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties between the Islamic world and the People’s Republic of China, a formal meeting took place on 10 July 2025 between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Zheng Hao, Director-General of Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry.
The meeting began with a comprehensive presentation on ICESCO, in which Dr. AlMalik outlined the Organization’s civilizational vision and goals, highlighting its presence across 53 Member States. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to preserving and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage within and beyond the Islamic world.
The two parties discussed several priority areas for cooperation, including the protection of heritage sites, exchange of expertise in cultural preservation, and review of ICESCO’s Cultural Index, adopted at the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World.
The two parties also emphasized the importance of youth as a foundation for future development and the need to design targeted educational programs for them, stressing the central role of culture in shaping identity and strengthening belonging.
The meeting concluded with a preliminary agreement on a set of initiatives, notably the organization of joint cultural seminars and conferences, the participation of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the upcoming session of the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, and an official visit by a Ministry delegation to ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat. The discussions also explored the potential inclusion of Chinese youth in ICESCO’s cultural exchange programs, as well as the temporary secondment of two Chinese experts in culture and heritage to contribute to the Organization’s activities.
The proposal for China to join ICESCO as an observer member was also put forward, facilitating broader participation in the Organization’s programs.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts as a gesture of friendship and mutual respect. The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, along with several officials from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has formally been designated as an Authorized Training and Assessment Provider (ATAP) by the Global Innovation Institute (GInI) in the United States. This recognition positions ICESCO as a key reference in capacity building and the evaluation of creativity- and innovation-driven projects at both regional and international levels.
This accreditation reflects the trust of leading international institutions and specialized professional platforms in ICESCO’s ability to deliver specialized training content aligned with current needs and to develop knowledge-based assessment tools that promote a culture of institutional innovation.
On this occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, affirmed that the Organization now offers the world a comprehensive civilizational model, integrating innovation into its values and vision, and possesses both the capacity and authority to provide high-quality training and assess its impact in line with internationally recognized standards. Dr. AlMalik added that this accreditation strengthens the ability of Islamic world societies to tackle future challenges.
Under this accreditation, ICESCO is now eligible to deliver specialized training for professionals in preparation for internationally recognized professional certifications in innovation, including Certified Innovation Professional (CInP), Certified Design Thinking Professional (CDTP), Certified Chief Innovation Officer (CCInO), and Certified Innovation Strategist (CInS), as well as credentials in innovation assessment such as Authorized Innovation Assessor (AInA). These certifications open new pathways for professionals in the Islamic world to obtain international certifications in innovation and strategic evaluation.
Moreover, ICESCO will also conduct specialized assessments to accredit universities, institutions, research centers, and innovation initiatives according to the highest international standards. These include accreditations such as Certified Innovative Organization (CInOrg), Certified Government Innovative Organization (CGInO), Certified Innovative University (CInU), and Certified Innovation Growth Venture (CInGV), along with accreditations for innovation labs (AInL), incubators (ABI), and accelerator (AAP), training (AInTP), and education programs (AInEP). These accreditations support creative thinking and institutional development across various sectors.
This recent accreditation adds to ICESCO’s growing portfolio of international certifications that reflect its forward-looking vision and commitment to instilling innovation.
Participants in the international symposium “Translation and Security: The Role of Translation in Enhancing National and International Security,” held at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) on 2–3 July 2025, in partnership with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, made ten key recommendations following five working sessions and a training workshop, during which 24 researchers from 13 countries presented scientific papers on the best practices and mechanisms pertaining to security-related translation.
The recommendations reflect the five themes of the symposium. In the first recommendation, related to the “Role of translation in addressing security issues and enhancing national and international security,” participants stressed the need to establish national specialized security translation centers under the security authorities to unify critical security concepts and terminology, provide qualified and trained staff to meet the growing needs in this sector, and emphasize the proactive role of translation in monitoring and analyzing extremist discourses in various languages.
The recommendations resulting from the second theme, “Strategic partnership among security institutions, translation experts and international organizations,” emphasized the importance of establishing permanent coordination committees between security bodies and translation centers to develop relevant linguistic policies and exchange experiences. They also emphasized the importance of including translators in crisis and disaster management teams and providing them with multidisciplinary training covering linguistic and technical aspects and emergency scenarios.
Under the theme “Linguistic and Cultural Challenges to Security-related Translation,” the recommendations called for the development of dictionaries and translation standards that take into account cultural and political differences when dealing with security texts, especially in sensitive contexts, and the need to provide cultural and ethical training programs for security translators to enhance their awareness of local and cross-border contexts and ensure a high level of security while performing their duties.
The fourth theme discussed “Security translation and challenges of digital advancements,” emphasizing the importance of adopting hybrid models that combine neural machine translation (NMT) and human editing, focusing on developing specialized and secure databases to train intelligent systems in the security field. The experts also called for promoting the use of AI tools in offline environments by designing mobile and secure translation applications that can be used in areas with no technological infrastructure. The last theme addressed the relationship between “Translation and Cybersecurity,” stressing the need to compile specialized dictionaries in the field of cybersecurity, in cooperation between linguists and technical experts, to ensure terminological accuracy and consistency in a rapidly changing digital environment, and calling for the integration of translation into national cybersecurity policies.
This symposium is a qualitative step towards institutionalizing security translation as one of the pillars of comprehensive security in Muslim countries and a strategic area that needs further cooperation between educational and security institutions, at both the research and applied levels, to enhance states’ capacities to confront multidimensional threats.
