Category: Front Page

The Financial Control Committee (FCC) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its annual meeting on Friday, 19 December 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. During the meeting, the Committee approved the financial reports submitted by the General Directorate, as well as the closing accounts for the 2024 financial year, reaffirming in its final report the high level of professionalism and transparency demonstrated in the presentation of data and the management of resources.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, had instructed heads of sectors within the Organization to extend full cooperation to FCC members, expressing his appreciation for their efforts and their role in strengthening ICESCO’s financial management system.

He also reaffirmed the General Directorate’s commitment to sustain cooperation, guided by a financial and administrative vision grounded in efficiency, responsibility, and the consolidation of sound governance principles.

The ICESCO FCC is composed of Mr. Yussuf Ali Najar, Representative of the State of Kuwait as Chairman of the Committee and Mr. Abdulaziz bin Saad Adabbas, Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Rapporteur.

The FCC is also comprised of three members, namely Mr. Heizrul bin Ali, Representative of Malaysia; Mr. Araz Baghirli, Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Mr. El Hadji Habib Kébé, Representative of the Republic of Senegal.

Over the course of five days, the FCC held a series of meetings with officials from the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, as well as the Departments of Legal Affairs and International Standards, Administrative Operations, Financial Operations, and the Financial Control Office. These meetings focused on reviewing detailed financial reports and examining various documents related to accounting matters and expenditure across the Organization’s programs and projects.

FCC members also visited several ICESCO sectors to gain first-hand insight into administrative and financial work mechanisms, as well as the monitoring and auditing systems in place.

At the close of the meeting, the Committee expressed its satisfaction with the level of financial discipline and the quality of the reports presented, noting that the consolidation of a culture of transparency and accountability within ICESCO enhances partners’ confidence and supports the Organization’s capacity to mobilize additional resources in service of the priorities of its Member States.

The FCC’s report is scheduled to be submitted to ICESCO’s Executive Council and General Conference in the coming months.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General, on Friday, 19 December 2025, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

During the meeting, the two parties agreed to further develop the partnership agreement signed between the two organizations, ushering in a new phase of cooperation and institutional synergy, and enhancing the impact of joint action in the fields of education, culture, and science at both the regional and international levels.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik extended his congratulations to Dr. El-Enany on assuming the position of UNESCO Director-General for the 2025–2029 term, expressing his aspiration to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two organizations in the coming period, in a manner that keeps pace with global transformations and serves the interests of the Member States.

Moreover, the Director-General underscored the importance of complementarity between ICESCO and UNESCO within their respective areas of expertise, and the key role of joint action in fulfilling the civilizational mission of international organizations, while enhancing their impact in supporting education, safeguarding culture, and advancing science.

The two parties agreed to update the partnership agreement to include new priority areas of cooperation, notably strategic foresight, artificial intelligence, and the preservation of endangered world heritage. The parties also agreed to organize joint programs and activities that reflect the complementary roles of both organizations.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, and Ms. Somia Djakta, Head of the ICESCO Office to UNESCO.

Following the meeting, Dr. Khaled El-Enany hosted a luncheon in honor of the ICESCO Director-General and his accompanying delegation, marking their first visit to UNESCO Headquarters since he assumed his duties.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the International Forum on Peace and Trust, held on Friday, 12 December 2025, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The Forum was attended by heads of state and government, as well as leaders of international organizations and institutions, on the occasion of Turkmenistan’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of its status of permanent neutrality, the International Day of Neutrality, and the proclamation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust.”

In his address to the Forum, Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of trust as a fundamental moral value and a guiding force in an increasingly turbulent world, describing it as a “sacred trust” and a responsibility that links integrity to action, strengthens cooperation, and transforms intentions into lasting peace.

Furthermore, the Director-General reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to preparing a new generation of leaders in the Islamic world through its flagship programs in this field, including the Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) program and the ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors Program, which aim to empower young leaders as the foundation of change for peace and for building the societies we aspire to.

The participation of the ICESCO Director-General in this international forum reflects the Organization’s steadfast approach to supporting and promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and civilizational dialogue, as well as encouraging international initiatives that seek to entrench a culture of dialogue and harmony among different peoples and societies.

The International Forum on Peace and Trust is increasingly cementing its standing as a prominent international platform for the exchange of views on ways to strengthen multilateral cooperation, consolidate mutual trust, and build effective partnerships that contribute to supporting regional and international security and stability.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the unveiling ceremony of the Neutrality Monument, which was erected in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday, 12 December 2025, in celebration of the International Day of Neutrality, observed annually on December 12th.

The ceremony was attended by a number of heads of states, leaders of international organizations, ministers, and dignitaries, including H.E. President Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation; H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye; H.E. President Dr. Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq; and H.E. President Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to the heads of Central Asian states.

Participating leaders and officials laid wreaths at the monument as an expression of appreciation for the values of neutrality and peace, and for the promotion of mutual understanding among nations.

Dr. AlMalik took part in the ceremony by laying a wreath on behalf of ICESCO, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to supporting the principles of peace, dialogue, and coexistence, and to strengthening trust among peoples.

Commemorative photographs were also taken prior to the launch of the International Forum on Trust and Peace, which was held later that day in the city of Ashgabat, in conjunction with the celebration of the International Day of Neutrality.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), began an official visit to Turkmenistan on Thursday, 11 December 2025, to participate in international activities marking Turkmenistan’s 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality, International Day of Neutrality, and the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Dr. AlMalik commenced his visit to the capital, Ashgabat, by taking part in the flag-raising ceremony at the Neutrality Monument, in the presence of several heads of state and government, ministers, representatives of international organizations, and high-level guests.

Following that, Dr. AlMalik visited the Exhibition of Economic Achievements of Turkmenistan, which highlights the country’s economic and developmental progress, particularly in the sectors of transport, energy, and communications, and reflects its commitment to internationally recognized positive neutrality.