Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), welcomed several Ministers of culture and high-level officials today, Friday, 15 November 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to participate in the Second High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Action, hosted by the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA).
Dr. AlMalik introduced the Ministers and distinguished visitors to the pavilion’s diverse program, which includes nearly 50 activities, ranging from seminars and panel discussions to engaging dialogues addressing the impact of climate change on education, science, culture, and other fields. He also facilitated the exchange of ideas on innovative solutions to climate crisis challenges.
The Ministers and high-ranking visitors expressed admiration for ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29 and praised the comprehensive program of activities, as well as ICESCO’s remarkable contributions in supporting its Member States in areas of environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation.
The list of ministers and notable figures visiting ICESCO’s pavilion included Ms. Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture and Sports of Greece, Mr. Adil bin Qabil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, HRH Princess Dana Firas, President of the Petra National Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, and Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing for Development.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and cultural organization (ICESCO), stressed that the preservation of cultural heritage has become an urgent priority in light of the mounting global climate crisis, noting that ICESCO has launched many programs and initiatives aimed at protecting world heritage and highlighting threatened heritage sites to support their resilience, adding that the Organization is open to cooperation with a view to mitigating the negative effects of climate change on heritage and culture.
This statement was part of Dr. Al-Malik’s address, delivered on Friday (15 November 2024) during the second High-level Ministerial Climate Action Dialogue, held by the Group of Friends of Culture-based Climate Action (GFCBCA), under the auspices of the respective ministries of culture of Azerbaijan, the UAE and Brazil, as part of COP29 in Baku, with the high-level presence of a number of ministers, officials and international experts in the field of climate action.
In his address, Dr. Al-Malik indicated that ICESCO has launched a strategy to enhance the role of culture and heritage in adapting to climate change, which focuses on striking a balance between cultural traditions and technological innovation by adopting adaptive approaches that combine traditional knowledge and technological solutions, raising public awareness and deepening understanding of the crucial role of heritage in building resilience.
Dr. Al-Malik explained that ICESCO’s strategy also seeks to contribute to building a sustainable path through which communities can thrive amid climate challenges, in addition to protecting heritage, pointing out that the Islamic World Heritage Center plays many roles in this regard, adding that the strategy includes the launch of ICESCO Climate Resilience Fund, which aims to mobilize resources to support projects aimed at protecting the heritage of the Islamic world. ‘It will also feature the launch of a research program to study the effects of climate change on cultural heritage in the Islamic world,’ he stated.
This high-level dialogue meeting witnessed the launch of the “Culture for Climate” Initiative by Mr. Adil Qabil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, reviewing its mainlines and indicating that it aims to position culture as the main driver of positive climate action and promote sustainable practices.
The Pavilion of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) featured significant activities on Thursday 14 November 2024. Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, met several distinguished guests who visited the Pavilion, which hosted eight panel discussions addressing key topics within the Organization’s areas of action.
Throughout the day, Dr. AlMalik held meetings with several high-level figures at ICESCO Pavilion, exploring avenues to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and their respective entities on issues of mutual interest.
These included a meeting with Ms. Nigyar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29; Mr. Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan; and Mr. Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Service to Citizens and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN Service).
Moreover, the program at ICESCO Pavilion featured a series of discussions. The first panel focused on “Global Climate Finance Mechanisms: Assessing Equity and Effectiveness,“ followed by a second panel on “Accelerating the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda.” The third session tackled the launch of a report titled “Developing Best Practices and Standards for Small-Scale Renewable Energy Projects.”
The fourth panel explored mechanisms to enhance small-scale renewable energy projects and discussed avenues for their financing, while the fifth session delved into the “Carbon Capture Technology Development Fund.” The sixth panel presented the “Global Labor Market Resilience Index.” The seventh session examined opportunities for utilizing available resources to mitigate the impact of climate change on cultural heritage. The final panel discussion focused on “Climate Fashion Technology Beyond 2030.”
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), announced the launch of the Green Innovators Initiative, aimed at invigorating regional climate action to monitor, promote and document the best practices in the field of environmental sustainability. The Initiative also aims to develop a framework guideline to serve as a basis for anticipating the future and creating an environmental and ecological infrastructure to expedite the transition to a green economy capable of reducing the carbon footprint.
Dr. AlMalik made this statement on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Ministerial Forum on Green Good Governance, held at the pavilion of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as part of the activities of the COP29, currently being held in Baku. The Forum saw high-level participation including officials and international experts in the fields of environment protection and climate change.
The DG opened his address by conveying his congratulations to the Republic of Azerbaijan for the resounding success of hosting the COP29, a major forum of human consensus, noting that Baku merits the reputation of a destination for major human gatherings.
He also stated that this high-level forum reflects the shared steadfast commitment to develop and strengthen good green governance, considered the cornerstone of preserving the environment and ensuring a prosperous future for the next generations. He further explained that ICESCO accords great attention to the environment as a key area of its work, and is committed to exerting the necessary work, stemming from a firm belief in the Islamic world’s great potential to actively contribute to the achievement of these noble goals.
Moreover, the Director-General stated that the challenge lies in building an integrated system capable of bringing about real change and achieving the desired environmental outcomes, especially in the Islamic world. He also recalled the alarming percentage of nature reserves in the Islamic world, which does not exceed 12%, a modest percentage compared to the global average of 15%, adding that biodiversity in this region is also under increasing pressure, with about 20% of species threatened with extinction.
Against this backdrop, the Director-General expressed his pride at the approach adopted by ICESCO in this field, which includes the launch of the “ICESCO Program for Greed Sustainable Cities” to promote sustainable urban planning, and the “Network of Environmental Governance Experts”, made of a host of specialists in the fields of the environment and sustainable development. He also highlighted ICESCO’s “Education for Sustainability Initiative”, aimed at integrating the concepts of environmental sustainability in school curricula; “ICESCO Observatory for Green Innovation”, in addition to the Islamic “Platform for Environmental Dialogue, and the “Green Projects Funding”, set to encourage investment in sustainable environmental projects, especially among young people.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, Climate Envoy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who visited ICESCO’s pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP29, in Baku. During the meeting, held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s program of activities at COP29, which benefits the countries of the Islamic world, highlighting that the Organization places environmental protection at the heart of its major priorities and objectives, given the great importance of the environment. “ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector implements a set of initiatives, programs and pioneering projects to contribute to ensuring the sustainability of natural resources,” he added.
He also pointed out that ICESCO has signed a number of agreements with a set of international organizations and bodies in the field of the environment, to preserve biodiversity, achieve food and water security, consolidate world peace, reduce the effects of natural disasters, and support its Member States in confronting the negative effects of climate change.
ICESCO DG also highlighted the Organization’s efforts to contribute to the modernization of education, science and culture in the Islamic world.
Moreover, he commended the strong relations between ICESCO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as evidenced by the large number of pioneering programs and projects being implemented in partnership between the Organization and the Saudi competent parties, in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of a number of the Organization’s ministerial conferences. For his part, Mr. Al-Jubeir expressed his admiration for ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29 and commended the Organization’s initiatives and programs, lauding its commitment to the environmental issues and its efforts aimed at confronting the negative effects of climate change.
Dr. Salim Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended a working session titled “Youth at the forefront of climate action”, held in the Green Zone at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) , being held from November 11 to 22 in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, with the participation of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady, First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ambassador of ICESCO for the good intentions, Mrs. Emine Gülbaran Erdoğan, the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye, Mrs. Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, the First Lady of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mrs. Aigul Japarova, the First Lady of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and representatives of a number of international organizations.
The session, which was held on Tuesday 12 November 2024, highlighted the needs of young people and their climate claims. It was also an opportunity for open discussions to make the voices of youth heard and promote their participation in the global climate agendas.
ICESCO’s participation in this event is part of the its approach to build the capacities of young people and upgrade their skills through the implementation of a number of initiatives, programs and activities, namely during ICESCO Year for Youth, which focuses on preparing youth for the professions of tomorrow, and to become entrepreneurs in the fields of technology, innovation and the environment. The most recent of such initiatives is the organization of a training camp for a group of young people from a number of countries in the Islamic world on climate leadership.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that the Republic of Azerbaijan has showcased outstanding organizational abilities at the opening of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), in Baku, equipped by its exceptional human and technical resources to ensure a resounding success for this major event.
Dr. AlMalik made this statement at a televised interview with Ms. Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center, on Monday, November 11, 2024, following the COP 29 opening, the world’s largest environment and climate change event.
Dr. AlMalik maintained that Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 adds to the Islamic world’s track record in climate action, marking the third consecutive COP hosted by an ICESCO Member State, following Egypt and the UAE. This continuity, he added, demonstrates ICESCO Member States’ commitment to intensifying climate action and promoting sustainable development in the region.
Regarding ICESCO’s participation in the COP29 proceedings, the Director-General noted that during the preparation period, the Organization has worked to ensure strong participation from the countries of the Islamic world, alongside representatives from ICESCO’s global partner organizations and institutions. He further explained that throughout the Conference’s sessions and various activities, ICESCO will work to help build international consensus around the ambitious initiatives proposed by the COP Presidency. This includes new funds, commitments, and key declarations regarding climate action efforts.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO will hold a major event on promoting water security, biodiversity and peace through innovation and earth observation to highlight the key role of scientific innovation and technology in addressing today’s pressing environmental challenges. He also noted that ICESCO’s pavilion at the Blue Zone will feature a number of symposiums and panels.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan, and Ms. Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center, as well as a number of high-level Azerbaijani figures visiting ICESCO’s pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29), which kicked off on Monday (11 November 2024) and continues until 22 November, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
During the visit, which featured Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 President, and Mr. Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s major activities scheduled in the Blue Zone, which include about 50 diverse activities to discuss the implications of climate change on education, science and culture, in addition to organizing a number of panel discussions in cooperation with international organizations and institutions on food security, media and its role in enhancing efforts to address climate change.
He also expressed his appreciation for the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, which manifests in the implementation of initiatives, programs and projects generously supported by H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady, First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
For her part, Ms. Leyla Aliyeva commended ICESCO’s activity programme during the COP, lauding the Organization’s roles in contributing to the development of education, science and culture in the Islamic world, especially its efforts and initiatives in the field of environmental protection and facing climate change challenges.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss potential ways for bolstering cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in environmental protection. The Meeting focused particularly on environmental protection in the context of celebrating Samarkand as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World for year 2025, as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals program.
The Meeting took place today, Monday, November 11, 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion in the Blue Zone of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, which began its sessions today. During the Meeting, Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to coordinating closely with Uzbek Competent authorities to ensure a successful celebration of Samarkand as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World. The Program will include various initiatives and activities throughout the year to highlight the City’s rich cultural heritage.
The Meeting also covered the possibility of Uzbekistan hosting conferences and activities related to environmental protection and climate change, aiming to facilitate exchanges of expertise and best practices in these areas. This cooperation seeks to raise environmental awareness across the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), who visited ICESCO’s pavilion at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. During their meeting, the two parties discussed topics of mutual interest and explored ways to further enhance their partnership.
At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday, November 11, 2024, Dr. AlMalik underscored ICESCO’s commitment to developing initiatives, programs, and projects in partnership with the Organization of Turkic States in areas of shared action. This partnership is set to be formalized in a cooperation agreement, which the two organizations plan to sign during Dr. AlMalik’s forthcoming visit to OTS’s headquarters in Istanbul, Türkiye, in January.
For his part, H.E. Amb. Omuraliev commended ICESCO’s role and efforts in supporting its Member States in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. He reaffirmed the Organization of Turkic States’ dedication to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO, especially in light of the MoU signed between the two organizations to enhance their collaboration.
