Category: Director General

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Andrés Perelló Rodríguez, Director-General of Casa Mediterráneo (House of the Mediterranean). The meeting focused on exploring prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Casa Mediterráneo, which aims to strengthen ties, foster dialogue, and enhance cooperation and mutual understanding between Spain and Mediterranean countries in cultural, economic, and political fields.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday 3 December 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. Benarafa outlined the key aspects of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting its initiatives in its areas of competence, the transformations the Organization has undergone in its new phase, and the achievements it has accomplished.

The discussion included a proposal to establish cooperation between ICESCO and Casa Mediterráneo to organize a forum in 2025 focusing on prominent Andalusian figures and cultural diplomacy, coinciding with the 1200th anniversary of the city of Murcia.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

Following the meeting, ICESCO Deputy Director-General accompanied Mr. Perelló Rodríguez and his delegation on a tour to 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, as part of the strategic partnership between the Organization, the Islamic World League, and the Mohammedia League of Scholars.

With a special pavilion at the Blue Zone, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 2-12 December 2024. The COP16 is the largest gathering of the Parties of the Convention and the first to be held in the Middle East, with the aim of promoting cooperation among the Convention’s 196 signatories and discussing effective solutions to rehabilitating degraded land and reducing drought.

During the opening session, the members of the Convention elected Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, as this session’s Conference President. In his address, Eng. Al Fadhli stated that the Kingdom aspires to achieve ambitious outcomes to preserve lands and curb their degradation, adding that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this session is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO’s Director General, is heading the Organization’s delegation to the Conference. Dr. AlMalik will take part in high-level activities, including a number of ministerial sessions on combating land degradation, drought resilience and migration, which will see the participation of ministers, senior officials, heads of international organizations and institutions concerned with climate action, in addition to the participating countries’ heads of delegations.

ICESCO’s Pavilion in the Blue Zone will host a variety of activities and interactive sessions focusing on different themes, with the participation of leading environmental experts. The Pavilion will also see the launch of several of the Organization’s initiatives on environment, innovation and sustainable development in the Islamic world, as well as the preliminary launch of ICESCO’s Report on Best Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems.

Following the remarkable success of its exceptional participation at COP29 in Azerbaijan, ICESCO’s participation in COP16 comes to reiterate the special attention its vision and strategic orientations pay to the field of environment in the Islamic world. Through its Science and Environment Sector, the Organization implements a number of pioneering initiatives and programs in the Member States to combat the negative effects of climate change and contribute to strengthening water and food security.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that peace education is the best way to find innovative and collaborative solutions to current global challenges such as conflicts, wars and the climate crisis. He added that the first step involves integrating peace education into education systems, noting that ICESCO has implemented many pioneering initiatives in this regard, convinced that peace education is an investment in a safer and more prosperous future for all humanity.

This statement was part of Dr. Al-Malik’s virtual address delivered on Wednesday 27 November 2024, at the opening of the two-day Global Summit for Peace Education, held by the Global Peace Education Network, in Paris, in cooperation with ICESCO as a strategic partner. The Summit brings together several senior officials and representatives of international institutions concerned with promoting global peace, including Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s main efforts in the field of peacebuilding, including the Leadership Training in Peace and Security Program (LTIPS), which has so far trained 180 young men and women from 68 countries to become ICESCO Young Peace Ambassadors, building their capacity and leadership skills to participate effectively in peacebuilding efforts in their communities, in line with the Organization’s “360° Peace Approach”.

He explained that technologies will play a key role in shaping the future, placing everyone under a moral obligation to ensure the responsible use of new technologies, particularly AI, underlining the important role of peace education through the ethical use of technologies in education systems. “In this respect, ICESCO launched the Riyadh Charter on AI Ethics for the Islamic world and held rich discussion sessions on peace and climate change during its participation in COP29,” he added.

ICESCO Director General concluded his address by affirming that the Organization seeks to promote the values of coexistence, understanding and mutual respect among all, through its Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and stressed ICESCO’s willingness to host the next edition of the Global Summit for Peace Education at its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

As part of its Future Dialogues series, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the fourth session of the series at its headquarters in Rabat on Monday 25 November 2024. The session featured a lecture titled, “The Power of Foresight in Post-Normal Times,” by renowned thinker Dr. Ziauddin Sardar, a specialist in futures studies, cultural criticism, and Islamic thought. The event also included a training workshop, Future Literacy Lab, aimed at university students, researchers, and those interested in futures studies.

Dr. Abdellilah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy Director-General, opened the session with a welcoming remark, emphasizing the Series’ role in convening distinguished intellectuals and cultural figures to explore critical future-oriented topics in a cross-cultural context. Dr. Benarafa highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to promote foresight culture in the Islamic world and praised the relevance of the lecture’s theme and its insights into the future.

In his lecture, Dr. Sardar examined the defining features of the current era, which he described as “post-normal times,” characterized by profound transformations, including the collapse of traditional paradigms and the emergence of new models.

Following, Dr. Kais Al-Hamami, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Strategic Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, posed several questions to Dr. Sardar regarding global changes and the importance of adopting foresight strategies. Dr. Sardar emphasized that forces of complexity, chaos, and contradiction drive the societal shifts defining “post-normal times,” fostering a climate of uncertainty. He cited examples such as accelerated climate change and groundbreaking technological advancements enabling humans to develop capabilities surpassing their own intelligence.

Dr. Sardar underscored the necessity of crafting long-term visions and prioritizing educational reform, advocating for the integration of foresight culture into educational systems across the Islamic world. He also called for a balanced approach that equally values technological progress and ethical considerations.

Additionally, Dr. Sardar addressed the Islamic perspective on the future, stressing the importance of foresight and learning from history. According to Dr. Sardar, many aspects of “post-normal times” are unprecedented in human history, requiring innovative responses. The event concluded with an engaging discussion, during which Dr. Sardar responded to audience questions and comments.

Subsequently, the Future Literacy Lab workshop, led by specialized experts in foresight, provided participants with practical skills in critical and creative thinking, equipping the next generation with tools to actively engage in shaping the future.

The Financial Control Committee (FCC) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its annual meeting, on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Organization’s headquarters, by adopting the financial reports submitted by the General Directorate and the Closing Accounts for the Financial Year 2023. In its final report, the Committee commended the professionalism and transparency of these reports.

The FCC meeting kicked off on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Prior to that, the Committee members met with Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, who welcomed them, highlighting this meeting’s significance in light of the General Directorate’s adoption of transparency and integrity in dealing with the Member States, particularly with regard to the financial aspects, stressing the FCC’s role in developing financial governance at the Organization.

The FCC is chaired by Mr. Yussuf Ali Najar, representative of the State of Kuwait, and consists of Mr. Abdulaziz Saad Aldabas, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as Rapporteur, and members Mr. Heizrul Bin Ali, representative of Malaysia, Mr. Araz Baghirli, representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mr. Hadji Habib Kébé, representative of the Republic of Senegal.

Over the course of three days, the Committee met with officials from ICESCO’s General Secretariat for National Commissions and Conferences, Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, Department of Administrative Operations, Department of Financial Operations, and the Office of the Financial Controller. The Meetings discussed reports and reviewed all documents pertaining to ICESCO’s finances and various forms of expenditure.

At the close of the meeting, the FCC members commended ICESCO’s financial system, praising its transparency, integrity and professionalism with regard to managing the Organization’s resources. They also commended ICESCO’s success in securing extra-budgetary funds to finance its programs and projects.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the launch ceremony of the Arabic version of the book “Shusha: Sacred City”, in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, today, Wednesday (November 20, 2024). The translation was published by IRS Heritage Journal with the support of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and the “Al Basha Holding Company, as part of the activities of Shusha capital of culture in the Islamic world celebrated this year within the framework of ICESCO program for capitals of culture in the Islamic world.

In his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, stated that the book tells the history of the ancient city of Shusha since its founding by Panah Ali Khan. It is designed to value the historical heritage of the city and provide an opportunity for readers in the Arab world to learn about history, traditions, culture and the art of the city.

He expressed ICESCO’s pride in the patronage of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for the activities and programs of the Organization at the national level, especially the celebration of Shusha capital of culture, praising the efforts and successes achieved by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, presided by Azerbaijani First Lady, First Vice-President, ICESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, in restoring and modernizing the city.

For his part, Mr. Adil Gabil Oglu Karimli, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, highlighted the cultural and artistic wealth that has characterized the city over centuries, pointing out that the Ministry is working to implement several programs to preserve the spirit of the city.

Mr. Aydin Karimov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, confirmed that the city continues to develop through a combination of heritage and modernity, to become a place where the visitor can notice the efforts made to preserve the city’s rich heritage along with its transformation into a vibrant cultural capital.

In his turn, Mr. Soltan Mammadov, Head of the Department of International Relations at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, said that the book highlights the cultural values of the Azerbaijani people and that it is an example of the fruitful cooperation between the institutions concerned with heritage.

The ceremony concluded with an intervention by Mr. Musa Marjanli, editor-in-chief of the “IRS Heritage Journal”, in which he confirmed that Shusha mirrors the Islamic identity of Azerbaijan, which is clearly seen in the historical monuments that are scattered in the ancient city.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), highlighted the complex global landscape where humanity’s interests and intentions are intricately intertwined, particularly amidst unprecedented climate transformations. Dr. AlMalik emphasized the critical imperative of implementing policies predicated on principles of justice, equality, and equitable distribution of environmental protection funding while advocating for the exchange of innovative and successful climate action strategies and practices. Notably, Dr. AlMalik underscored the paramount significance of generating substantive, forward-looking outcomes from COP29 in Azerbaijan that genuinely reflect the international community’s collective aspirations.

Dr. AlMalik delivered these remarks on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, during a high-level COP29 meeting, convened in Baku, Azerbaijan. This pivotal three-day meeting is a continuation of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit. The gathering comprises statements from representatives of States Parties to the Convention and heads of international climate action organizations. Deliberations are strategically focused on comprehensive efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, evaluating the progress achieved toward realizing the targets of the Paris Agreement, and exploring the potential for establishing a new collaborative funding target.

Dr. AlMalik added that as borders, environments, and atmospheres grow increasingly interconnected, environmental and climate impacts affect all members of society equally. This shared vulnerability highlights the necessity of abandoning elf-serving behaviors that prioritize narrow interests over the greater good of humanity.

In concluding, Dr. AlMalik extended heartfelt congratulations to Azerbaijan for its exceptional organization of COP29 in Baku. This pivotal global summit has convened preeminent climate action leaders and relevant institutional stakeholders, reigniting collective optimism for achieving a meaningful consensus on ambitious climate targets and the strategic pathways to their realization.

A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 9th edition of the Knowledge Summit 2024, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation on November 18–19, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Summit, held under the theme “Future Skills and AI Economy,” honored ICESCO’s delegation for its outstanding participation, which included a comprehensive discussion on the importance of the Knowledge Index, panel sessions on ICESCO’s collaborative learning acceleration, and meetings with prominent Summit participants.

ICESCO’s delegation was led by Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Head of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and included Dr. Nidal Abu Zuhri, Director of Administrative Operations, Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Office of Director-General, along with other staff members.

The Delegation took part in extensive discussions on the importance of the Global Knowledge Index. The meeting attended by Dr. Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor and Project Manager, Knowledge Project, UNDP, and several National Commission secretaries and representatives of ICESCO Member States. Dr. Jamal Bin Huwaireb emphasized ICESCO’s strategic partnership in advancing knowledge-based efforts and its role in supporting the Member States to improve their performance in international indices. Additionally, Dr. Salim Al Habsi highlighted ICESCO’s initiatives to strengthen communication and assist Member States in enhancing knowledge efficiency. Furthermore, representatives of National Commissions shared their experiences in collecting data for the Global Knowledge Index and the main challenges they faced.

The meeting also discussed a proposal to launch the “Knowledge Experts” platform to coordinate Member States’ efforts in providing accurate data to meet international organizations’ needs and strengthen knowledge partnerships.

As part of the Summit’s activities, ICESCO employees who were recognized as winners of the FutureSkills4All Program, Oumaima Bouhaddioui, Abdulnassir Anggawi, Ikram El Guerrab, and Taqwa Al Ali, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to develop staff capabilities. Dr. Nidal Abu Zuhri reiterated ICESCO’s commitment to advancing technical and creative skills among its staff through innovative training programs.

On the sidelines of the Summit, ICESCO’s delegation met with Dr. Andrew Yan-Tak Ng, renowned computer scientist and founder of DeepLearning.AI. They explored opportunities for collaboration between ICESCO and the platform to develop training programs and innovative technologies that empower youth and support digital transformation across the Islamic world.

Today, Monday, 18 November, 2024, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted high-level discussion sessions. Ministers and senior international officials gathered as part of the Pavilion’s eighth-day activities, centered around the theme “Energy, Peace, Relief, and Recovery.” The Event included the announcement of CESCO’s strategy for integrating agricultural heritage with modern practices to promote sustainable development and the launch of ICESCO’s Framework “Greening Education in the Islamic World”.

In the discussion titled “Heritage Development for a Sustainable Future: Integrating Agriculture, Culture, and Climate Adaptation,” Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, unveiled the Organization’s strategy to integrate agricultural heritage with contemporary practices, in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, he highlighted the strategy as a forward-looking approach aimed at preserving rich agricultural knowledge and leveraging it for sustainable development.

In his remarks, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Majnun Mammadov, presented his country’s experience as a model in blending traditional practices with the latest scientific solutions to build a sustainable future. Additionally, Dr. Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of FAO, provided an overview of the latter’s Agricultural Heritage Systems program.

The Pavilion’s activities also included a youth-oriented session titled “Young Climate Champions: ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors,” with the participation of Dr. AlMalik; Dr. Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs; Mr. Adil Çalışkan, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services in Türkiye; as well as a group of ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors and youth climate leaders.

Another high-level session titled “Greening Education: From Policy to Implementation,” moderated by Dr. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of Education Sector at ICESCO, marked the announcement of the “ICESCO Framework for Greening Education in the Islamic World,” developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. The Framework aims to incorporate climate science education, along with the social, economic, and behavioral aspects of climate justice, into educational systems across the Islamic world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs have signed a cooperation agreement to foster joint efforts in areas of shared interest, primarily in empowering women, protecting children, and organizing various programs, conferences, and training sessions. These initiatives aim to promote women’s rights, child welfare, and the development of healthy and peaceful societies, as well as to strengthen family cohesion and provide training on leadership and peacebuilding.

The Agreement was signed today, Monday, 18 November, 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Following the signing, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that this Agreement marks the beginning of a new phase of collaboration between ICESCO and the Committee, as part of the broader partnership between ICESCO and various Azerbaijani institutions, under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Dr. Bahar Muradova highlighted that the protocol offers an opportunity to benefit from ICESCO’s extensive expertise in supporting women and children, commending the Organization’s programs and initiatives that have served the Islamic world in this area.