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Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Tariq Salem Al-Abkari, Minister of Education of the Republic of Yemen, on the sidelines of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, held on Wednesday 14 January 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed potential avenues of joint cooperation between ICESCO and Yemen’s Ministry of Education, and reviewed the support and educational programs that the Organization can provide, in light of the positive indicators and the relative stabilization currently witnessed by the Republic of Yemen, and the opportunities this presents for rebuilding its educational system.

The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening institutional coordination and cooperation and launching new educational initiatives that take into account the current situation in Yemen and respond to urgent needs in the areas of basic education, capacity building, and support for educational stability.

In addition, both parties agreed to hold a joint meeting in the coming days with ICESCO and the Yemen Support Fund, along with a number of international and regional institutions willing to provide support and assistance in the fields of education and training, thereby contributing to the unification of efforts and maximizing impact.

In the context of capacity building, it was agreed to send a number of Yemeni administrative personnel working in the Ministry of Education for training at ICESCO, in addition to involving a group of Yemeni young men and women in specialized training programs for specific periods, aimed at qualifying them to contribute to the leadership and management of educational work and the implementation of educational projects and initiatives in Yemen.

Dr. AlMalik reiterated ICESCO’s readiness to provide all possible forms of support to Yemen and to launch new initiatives that contribute to reducing student dropout rates, retraining teachers, and strengthening the resilience of the education system, thereby supporting the launch of a new educational journey based on partnership, human development, and looking to the future.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, which were held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, under the patronage and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Riyadh Province.

ICESCO was represented at this occasion by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Organization, in the presence of Their Highnesses, Excellencies the Ministers of Education of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, heads of international and regional organizations, and an elite group of experts and specialists in education.

The celebration featured official remarks reviewing the journey of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States from its establishment to the present day. It was noted that the Bureau was founded 50 years ago and entrusted with providing foresight into the future of education in the Gulf States by conducting studies, research, and benchmarking comparisons with educational experiences in advanced countries. These efforts have contributed to the development of educational policies, benefiting the Gulf States and their educational institutions over decades.

The speakers also highlighted the Bureau’s organization of conferences, seminars, and capacity-building programs, in addition to specialized prizes in education-related fields, which have had a tangible impact on advancing educational work in the Gulf region.

The occasion reflected institutional integration and a spirit of fraternity among the Gulf States, as the Ministers of Education, during the discussion session preceding the celebration, reaffirmed the importance of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and their countries’ sustained commitment to supporting it, in recognition of its pivotal role in advancing education and educational development in the region.

Dr. Alsebail: ICESCO stands as influential voice representing Islamic world in culture, education, and science

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail, Secretary-General of King Faisal Prize, on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and King Faisal Prize.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as its key programs and projects implemented across its Member States, particularly those aimed at promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and intercultural dialogue. He also shed light on a set of programs and reference documents adopted by the Organization to consolidate tolerance and dialogue within its Member States.

For his part, Dr. Alsebail commended ICESCO’s efforts, describing it as an influential voice serving the Islamic world in the fields of culture, education, and science, praising the Organization’s achievements in civilizational communication, foresight and artificial intelligence, media, and Arabic language.

Moreover, within the framework of strengthening their partnership, both sides discussed the organization of seminars and conferences aimed at advancing the noble objectives of ICESCO and King Faisal Prize in building peace and promoting global harmony.

The two parties also explored a proposal to launch an award and organize a film festival in the Islamic world, dedicated to works with significant cultural and educational impact, with a view to showcasing the diversity of Islamic cultures and fostering its civilizational narrative.

At the close of their visit, Dr. Alsebail and his accompanying delegation toured ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector and the library of the Translation and Publishing Center, currently under construction.

The meeting was attended by several sector heads and center directors at ICESCO, along with Mr. Sami Abdullah Almaqlouth, laureate of King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam in 2025, and Mr. Abdulaziz Aldakhil, Director of Media and Information Technology at King Faisal Prize.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at her office in Doha.

The meeting explored prospects for strategic cooperation in education, human development, and scientific research, with a particular focus on the ethics of artificial intelligence from an Islamic perspective and ways to employ it responsibly in education and cultural upbringing. Discussions emphasized the importance of leveraging AI to strengthen human values, preserve identity, and keep pace with rapid transformations in the knowledge economy.

Dr. AlMalik presented ICESCO’s renewed vision and implementation strategy, underscoring the need to integrate the Arabic language and Islamic culture into AI ecosystems and enhance their intellectual and ethical presence in digital models and smart learning platforms.

Her Highness, a global thought leader and a central figure in human development, affirmed that artificial intelligence represents a historic opportunity if grounded in solid ethical principles and a comprehensive human vision. She stressed that education and scientific research form the cornerstone for anticipating and shaping the future. She also highlighted the eminent status of the Arabic language and the importance of promoting it, noting that the completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary of Arabic marks a new milestone in advancing the language and reinforcing its scientific and cultural presence.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep appreciation to Her Highness for her pioneering role in making education a lever for human development and a bridge to the future. He extended an invitation to Qatar Foundation to visit ICESCO headquarters to discuss ways to deepen cooperation and translate shared visions into impactful, sustainable programs.

The meeting was attended by Engineer Saad bin Ebrahim Al Muhannadi, Head of the Office of the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation; Dr. Ahmad Hasnah, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University; and Ms. Abeer Al Khalifa, Head of Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation.

In conjunction with the finals of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, currently hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held a conference on Monday, December 22, 2025, at its headquarters in Rabat under the theme “Leveraging Sport for Youth and Women Inclusion and Sustainable Development.” The event saw the participation of ministers, academics, and experts in the fields of youth and sports.

The conference explored ways sports can contribute to strengthening social and economic inclusion, support mental health and well-being, and stimulate new ideas in sports to serve the Sustainable Development Goals and effect real impact on those most in need.

In his opening remarks on behalf of Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy DG, noted that the conference aligns with the Organization’s strategy to develop a sports model founded on collective action, institutional collaboration, innovation, and sustainability with the aim of amplifying the social impact of sports, positioning it as a catalyst for youth empowerment and women’s advancement, while reinforcing the principles of citizenship and solidarity.

Ms. Ramata Almamie Mbay, Head of ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, presented the Organization’s renewed vision, which considers sport a lever for social inclusion, a driver of economic development, and a promoter of social cohesion.

In her turn, Ms. Khady Diène Gaye, Minister of Youth and Sports of Senegal, confirmed that her country has decided to prioritize sports as a central component of youth-centered public policies. She highlighted Senegal’s active involvement in a process of systemic transformation within the “Senegal 2050” Agenda.

Mr. Abdelrahman Ajbari, Head of the Division of Youth Institutions at the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, stated that sport in Morocco has become a significant catalyst for development, contributing to the enhancement of governance, training, and infrastructure modernization in the Kingdom. Ms. Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, underscored the pivotal role of sports in fostering inclusion and catalyzing sustainability and innovation.

In a recorded speech, Ms. Kanizat Ibrahim, Former CAF Vice-President and current member of the FIFA Council, underscored the potential of football to promote youth inclusion, women’s empowerment, and community cohesion. She emphasized the importance of sustainable partnerships and programs that can translate this approach into tangible results.

The conference featured two panel discussions. The first focused on sport, social and economic inclusion, and its role in youth employment. The second centered on sport, well-being, social cohesion, and sustainability. The conference concluded with a speech by Ms. Kenza Abourmane, Director of Youth at the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco.