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The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening efforts to achieve food security, adapt to climate change, and harness space sciences, technology, and innovation for agricultural development.

The MoU was signed on Friday, 24 April 2026, at ICESCO headquarters by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Dr. Ibrahim Adam El-Dukheri, Director-General of AOAD.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stressed that the accelerating pace of climate change worldwide necessitates concerted efforts and the development of strategic partnerships to mitigate its economic and social repercussions on the countries of the Islamic world. He noted that the memorandum represents a step toward developing activities with tangible impact in improving the management of water and natural resources.

He added that climate change poses a persistent threat to cultural sites and elements, which requires the use of artificial intelligence applications to develop sustainable solutions for protecting heritage and civilizational legacy.

For his part, Dr. El-Dukheri commended ICESCO’s contributions to environmental protection and the development of smart agriculture, affirming AOAD’s readiness to exchange expertise and best practices to employ modern technologies in climate change adaptation and the rational management of natural resources in the countries of the Islamic world.

The MoU provides for the implementation of joint activities in the fields of science, technology, and innovation; the application of space sciences for agricultural development; improving food security; climate change adaptation; smart agriculture; natural resource management; water management; the use of Earth observation technologies and artificial intelligence; and capacity building for professionals in agricultural development.

The signing ceremony was attended on behalf of ICESCO by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of the Civilizational Dialogue Centre; Dr. Adel Smeda, Supervisor of the Science and Environment Sector; Dr. Issam Krimi, expert in the same sector; and Mr. Omer Hamid, expert in the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

Kazakhstan Nominates Turkistan as Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2027

On the sidelines of his participation in the Regional Environmental Summit held in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Aida Balayeva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, at the Astana Opera House.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed prospects for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan in culture, heritage preservation, and capacity building. Ms. Balayeva commended the cooperation between the two sides, stressing that it is based on tangible achievements and a fruitful partnership. She also praised ICESCO’s high-quality programs and initiatives implemented over the past five years, particularly those related to the inscription and safeguarding of heritage sites in the Islamic world, as well as youth empowerment and capacity-building initiatives.

In this context, Ms. Balayeva announced the official nomination of Turkistan for the 2027 Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, with the support of His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, alongside Kazakhstan’s candidacy to host the upcoming meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) in the city. She further underscored the importance of protecting heritage sites, especially those that are threatened or damaged in the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s principled support for this nomination, in accordance with the approved procedures and regulations, reiterating the Organization’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan across areas of mutual interest.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Kazakhstan for its forthcoming hosting of the IWHC meeting next year, highlighting the importance of this step in supporting efforts to safeguard and promote heritage in the Member States. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of preparing and submitting nomination files for a number of heritage sites and elements in Kazakhstan, in line with ICESCO’s approved criteria and forms, in preparation for their inscription on the List of Heritage in the Islamic World and their discussion during the IWHC’s next session.

The two sides also discussed several proposed initiatives and activities, including the organization of international festivals dedicated to Turkish and Islamic decorative arts, bringing together artists from across the Islamic world, as well as the organization of training programs and workshops in the field of cultural heritage preservation and specialized programs for building the capacities of experts with the support of ICESCO.

The two parties agreed to establish a joint committee to examine the programs and activities to be included in Turkistan’s celebration as Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, to initiate the preparation of a formal cooperation agreement and an executive action plan, and to study the possibility of holding the 2027 Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World in Turkistan.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik extended an invitation to Ms. Balayeva to visit ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat and sign a joint cooperation agreement.

Dr. Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Nurzhan Moldiyarovich Nurzhigitov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, during his visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the Regional Environment Summit, held from April 22 to 24, 2026.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the capital, Astana, the two sides reviewed areas of joint cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, particularly programs and initiatives aimed at conserving water resources and enhancing the capacities and training of youth in this vital field.

The two sides reviewed Kazakhstan’s efforts in the water sector, especially following the establishment of the Ministry of Water Resources two years ago—a move reflecting a strategic focus on water resource management—as well as the integration of a culture of water conservation and its importance into educational programs.

Dr. AlMalik also highlighted the most significant initiatives and programs launched by ICESCO over the past five years in the field of water resource protection, addressing the challenges of water scarcity, and enhancing water security in Member States.

The two sides agreed on the importance of deepening cooperation and expanding areas of partnership to include the implementation of joint programs, as well as including these priorities in ICESCO’s strategic plan and action plan for the coming years.

For his part, the Kazakhstani minister affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO in this field and its readiness to share its expertise and experiences with Member States, thereby contributing to international efforts aimed at achieving water security and sustainable development in the Islamic world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue (ICIID). The two officials signed a memorandum of understanding whereby ICESCO becomes a strategic partner in co-organizing the Ninth International Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled to be held in 2027 under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, at the Center’s headquarters in Astana, focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Center, particularly in advancing and developing interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue and consolidating the values of mutual understanding and coexistence.

During the meeting, Ms. Kozhabay reviewed the Center’s key initiatives and programs aimed at promoting interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue, as well as its future orientations in light of current global challenges, which are expected to be addressed at the upcoming congress scheduled for next year.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that this memorandum falls within the framework of supporting interreligious and intercultural dialogue, building relevant capacities, and rejecting all forms of extremism and fanaticism.

He noted that ICESCO has established the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, tasked with developing modern concepts, most notably the concept of “Civilizational Diplomacy,” which the Organization has adopted within its strategic initiatives as a means of promoting openness and mutual understanding with others through a renewed civilizational vision.

Dr. AlMalik also underscored the importance of engaging youth in these programs by equipping them with modern concepts of dialogue and encouraging their participation in relevant forums and conferences, enabling them to serve as ambassadors for their countries in promoting a culture of peace and understanding among peoples.

The memorandum of understanding includes several provisions, notably a strategic partnership in organizing the Ninth International Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which the Center convenes every two years with the participation of prominent international figures. The memorandum also stresses the importance of youth participation and attendance in these events.