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In line with its new vision and action strategy, and in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of space science and technology and highlight the enormous potential of its technological application in achieving sustainable development, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) will hold on Thursday, 10 June 2021, the First Symposium on “Space Sciences: Importance, Challenges and Emerging Opportunities in the Space Industry and Islamic World.” The Symposium will be held in cooperation with the American Space Foundation, under the theme, “Building Future Innovators,” which will be an opportunity to discuss and exchange views and knowledge about the latest trends in space technology and sciences and the relevant industries. The event also aims to promote the Islamic world’s embrace of this field by setting up space programs and capitalizing on space technology in the fields of education, science and innovation.

The Symposium will kick off at 10:00 a.m (UCT) at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat and via videoconference and will bring together a host of prominent experts in space sciences and relevant industries, astronauts, representatives of several ICESCO Member States’ Ministries of Science and Technology, in addition to researchers and entrepreneurs from the Islamic world and beyond.

The Symposium’s agenda features the respective opening addresses of Mr. Thomas E. Zelibor, Chief Executive Officer of the American Space Foundation; Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate in Charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kingdom of Morocco; and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General.

The symposium is divided into the following three working sessions: “Space ecosystem awareness and the importance of space technology for humanity,” “Space commerce and career opportunities in the space industry for young graduates,” and, “Space workforce development, creating the future space innovation workforce.” Moreover, the Symposium will include two roundtables to discuss two key topics namely: “Development of space-science entrepreneurial mindset among researchers at universities,” and, “Importance of strategic relationships between the space industry and academia in developing countries.”

The Symposium proceedings will be broadcasted live on ICESCO official Facebook page via the link:
https://www.facebook.com/ICESCO.En/live

The participants in the International Seminar on “Smart and Resilient Sustainable Cities” stressed the importance of transition towards such type of cities to overcome current challenges facing humanity.  These challenges may include the over-exploitation of natural resources, energy and water as well as the increasing amounts of waste and the ensuing air pollution worsen in the future. The participants considered smart cities as an alternative that can help rationalize the use of resources and improve the quality of life using modern technologies.

The two-day hybrid Seminar that ICESCO organized, in partnership with UNESCO Maghreb Bureau and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa), on June 3-4, 2021, at ICESCO Headquarters and on Zoom platform, witnessed rich discussions and innovative ideas from experts in the fields of technology and sustainable development in addition to the representatives of several urban development bodies and institutions. The participants explored the best methods and the stages for developing transition action plans towards smart and sustainable cities. They also underscored that there are no specific plans that could be mainstreamed as different experiences are needed in adopting smart tools.

The participants reaffirmed the importance of cooperation, joint action and sharing different experiences of transition towards sustainable cities.  This could be done through the promotion of policies, strategies, programs and initiatives to raise awareness about the concept of smart green cities.  This joint effort will enhance technical capacities, and facilitate access to financial resources necessary for the transition and institutional restructuring.

The Seminar concluded its proceedings by issuing several recommendations, including:

• Taking into account citizens’ environmental and socio-economic needs while implementing the concept of “Smart and Resilient Sustainable Cities;”
• Adopting an integrated approach to raise awareness about smart and sustainable cities and ensuring the participation of all stakeholders in the implementation of the models;
• Developing a network to promote cooperation among various cities in the Islamic world as to build smart and resilient sustainable cities;
• Transferring knowledge and technologies, and setting up a committee to work on a guide for smart cities and communities;
• Considering issues related to data governance and opting for a comprehensive economic model within a clear legal framework to ensure the protection of personal data in the promotion of sustainable cities.

The agenda of the first day of the Seminar featured the “Introduction of Sustainable and Smart Cities Concept” and the presentation of several countries’ smart cities transition experiences.

The International Seminar on “Smart and Resilient Smart Cities” kicked off yesterday, Thursday, June 3, 2021, at ICESCO Headquarters. The Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is organizing the Seminar in partnership with UNESCO Maghreb Bureau and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).

The two-day hybrid event seeks to shed light on the good practices of environmentally friendly cities and promote the development of cities in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General (DG), opened the Seminar and noted that the event is held as part of the celebration of World Environment Day, observed each year on June 5, a celebration hosted this year by Pakistan under the slogan “Restoring the Ecosystem.” Dr. Benarafa stated that the presence of representatives from several international institutions bears witness to the importance of this Seminar.

ICESCO Deputy DG reaffirmed that the Organization recognizes the importance of urban development in line with sustainable development strategies, stressing that ICESCO strives to promote the concept of smart, sustainable and resilient green cities among its Member States. “This paradigm shift could play a pivotal role in improving the quality of urban life and providing a model for cities seeking to achieve sustainable development,” Dr. Benarafa added.

In his address, Mr. Mohamed Benyahia, Secretary-General of the Environment Department at the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Sustainable Development, stated that the Seminar is an opportunity to discuss challenges facing sustainable cities, highlighting the importance of coming up with comprehensive and integrated solutions to these challenges, especially those related to climate change.

Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, UCLG Africa Secretary-General, explained that a large part of the urban population lives in vulnerable conditions, making cities less resilient and less likely to overcome crises, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that smart and sustainable cities will be more prepared to face such crises.

Mr. Alexander Schischlik, Acting Director of UNESCO Office in Rabat, thanked ICESCO for holding the Seminar, underscoring that smart cities have become a necessity for both human development and his ability to cope with crises.

Mr. Saleh Al-Malouki, Mayor of Agadir, highlighted the city’s experience in environmental protection and noted that the city of Agadir received local and international awards for implementing innovative ideas, particularly in solving the issue of waste disposal.

Dr. Raheel Qamar, Director of the Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, closed the opening session which he moderated. The first working session was dedicated to the “Introduction of Sustainable & Smart Cities Concept,” while the second session featured the presentation of several countries’ smart cities transition experiences, followed by a general discussion.

The agenda for the second day of the Seminar includes a panel discussion and the preparation of action plans for the transition to smart and sustainable cities, followed by a general discussion. The Seminar will conclude its proceedings by issuing its recommendations.

 In contribution to the efforts geared toward building educational and scientific communication in the field of teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers between experts, educational staff and students, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launches the 2nd video series “Zidni ‘Ilman” for 2021. During the series, experts will answer questions from teachers and educators working in the field of teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers.

As part of ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, the current series will invite women experts in the field of teaching Arabic from inside and outside the Islamic world to contribute to the development of teachers’ knowledge and skills. ICESCO will post one video every Thursday on its social media network starting from tomorrow, June 3, 2021.

Through the educational program, ICESCO seeks to achieve several objectives, including:

• Training teachers and students in the field of teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers and providing distance learning programs that meet their needs;
• Developing and revising the pedagogical materials of the teachers of Arabic for non-Arabic speakers;
• Creating channels of communication between students from different racial and cultural backgrounds and the experts in the field of teaching Arabic;
• Promoting dialogue and collaborative learning among learners of Arabic and developing their research skills;
• Providing pedagogical and linguistic references for the most frequently asked questions.

The Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hails Morocco’s New Development Model, which focuses on developing the fields of education, scientific research, innovation, and culture.

The Organization congratulates His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan people and the government for elaborating a comprehensive report that focuses on human capital development as leverage to build a prosperous future for Morocco.

ICESCO stresses that the goals and recommendations included in the report, especially concerning the fields of education, science, and culture, are in line with the Organization’s new vision and strategy of foreseeing the future. ICESCO expresses its willingness to cooperate with competent parties in Morocco to contribute to the implementation of the exceptional model, as well as collaborating with all Member States to promote the implementation of their national plans in connection with the Organization’s areas of competence to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

The Organization highlights that the report paid special attention to the importance of the human capital which aims to ensure that 75% of Moroccan pupils reach a certain level of proficiency in reading, mathematics and science; enhance health services, provide health care for all citizens by 2025, put an end to the underage marriage, enable 35% of women to access the labor market and allow for 35% of them to hold senior positions.

ICESCO commends the work of the Special Commission on the Development Model and the mechanisms used over two years including consultations and intensive meetings with the nation’s active forces and large segments of Moroccan citizens through extensive hearings.

The Organization also praised the importance the report attaches to improving governance, digitizing services, enhancing the quality of distance learning, improving internet access and other objectives.

ICESCO considers Morocco’s Report on the New Development Model highly significant as it suggests practical measures to achieve its goals as well as mechanisms to ensure larger participation of citizens and the nation’s active forces and promote development.