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    ICESCO International Chairs Network for Thought, Heritage, Letters and Arts Reviews Its Scientific and Cultural Achievements

    The Culture Sector of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the fifth periodic meeting of the ICESCO Network of International Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Letters and Arts. The meeting reviewed the chairs’ scientific and cultural achievements, which included releasing more than 30 scientific publications and holding over 50 international events, such as conferences, seminars, and art exhibitions. These events were organized in collaboration with international universities and institutions between 2021 and 2025.

    At the beginning of the meeting, held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with the chairs participating in person and via video conferencing, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, commended the great efforts made by the chairs, urging them to continue their work. He also praised Dr. Bouazza Ben Achir, professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, for his chairmanship of the regular meeting.

    Notably, the ICESCO International Network of Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Letters, and Arts spans several countries across three continents, including Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Germany, and Brazil.

    The ICESCO International Platform, “Culture for Rethinking the World,” has strengthened the network’s efforts and influence by publishing more than 200 articles. The important contribution of the 15 research teams affiliated with the chairs is also notable. These teams include approximately 200 researchers and students who specialize in thought, heritage, literature, and the arts.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Saudi Ambassador to Sierra Leone

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Thursday, 18 December 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Mr. Saud Al-Musaed, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sierra Leone.

    Dr. AlMalik congratulated the Saudi Ambassador on the royal trust placed in him through his appointment as Ambassador to Sierra Leone, commending his diplomatic efforts and contributions during his tenure as Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Kingdom of Morocco.

    The two parties discussed possible areas of cooperation between the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Sierra Leone and ICESCO, particularly in education, culture, and science, with a view to supporting the implementation of development programs and projects in Member States.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s sustained engagement in Sierra Leone, outlining the programs, activities, and projects the Organization has implemented over the past five years in education, culture, and science, and reaffirming its commitment to expanding its initiatives and strengthening institutional partnerships.

    At the close of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation to Mr. Saud Al-Musaed for his visit and his dedication to fostering cooperation between both sides in support of education, science, and culture.

    ICESCO signs MoU with Morocco’s AgriEdge to promote climate-smart and sustainable agriculture in Member States

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AGRI EDGE, the economic unit of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, specialized in the digital agriculture sector. The MoU aims to promote cooperation to support sustainable agriculture in the Islamic world.

    The MoU was signed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Rabat, and provides for establishing a partnership framework in the areas of climate-smart agriculture, agricultural innovation, digital transformation, and capacity building, through the exchange of experiences, joint training programs, and agricultural solutions that capitalize on modern technologies and data.

    Speaking on behalf of the Director-General at the signing ceremony, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, emphasized that this partnership reflects the Organization’s commitment to supporting innovation-driven development and assisting Member States in addressing agricultural and environmental challenges.

    Dr. Benarfa added that this partnership is an opportunity to leverage both expertise and action to support farmers, cooperatives, and local institutions, and to develop scalable solutions that increase productivity, resilience, and sustainability.

    For his part, Mr. Faissal Sehbaoui, AgriEdge CEO, explained that institutional cooperation with ICESCO will contribute to expanding capacity-building programs and supporting the dissemination of digital solutions in the agricultural sector in a manner that serves food security and sustainable development.

    The signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, along with Dr. Essam Karimi, Dr. Adel Smeda, Dr. Wissam Chehade, and Dr. Fahman Fathurrahman, experts from the same Sector. Ms. Rim Jirari, Head of International Organizations and Bodies at the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, also attended the ceremony.

    ICESCO Participates in Symposium on “Multilingualism in International Organizations” in Paris

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in a symposium titled “Multilingualism in International Organizations,” held on Monday, 15 December 2025, at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris. The event, which was organized by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) in cooperation with UNESCO, aims at highlighting the civilizational values and cultural achievements of Arabic language presence in international organizations and launching the “Multilingualism Framework.”

    The symposium brought together representatives of international organizations and institutions concerned with the Arabic language, along with a group of experts and specialists in language planning and policy, to discuss the efforts of these organizations and institutions to preserve Arabic within the context of multilingualism.

    ICESCO was represented by Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers, who delivered a presentation titled “ICESCO’s Experience in Promoting the Presence of Arabic.” He noted that the Organization, which adopted Arabic, English, and French as the three main languages for communication with its Member States, treats Arabic not only as a means of communication but also as a cultural objective.

    Dr. Majdi explained that through many of its programs and activities, ICESCO advocates for shifting Arabic from being merely a communication tool to becoming a cultural objective, a process that can be described as the cultural globalization of Arabic. He pointed out that ICESCO has established centers dedicated to this purpose, including the Arabic Language Center for Non-Arabic Speakers, the Calligraphy and Manuscript Center, and the Poetry and Literature Center, in addition to the ICESCO-Hamdan bin Rashid Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers Program “Mishkat.”

    ICESCO Annual Meeting of Financial Control Committee Commences

    The annual meeting of the Financial Control Committee kicked off at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, 15 December 2025. The Meeting is dedicated to reviewing the Organization’s financial report and the closing accounts for the 2024 financial year, as part of ICESCO’s efforts to strengthen governance and transparency and to institutionalize best practices in financial monitoring and evaluation.

    At the opening of the Committee’s meeting, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, delivered a speech on behalf of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Director-General, in which he affirmed that the Committee represents an essential mechanism for ensuring the soundness and efficiency of financial policies, supporting the development of planning tools and the rationalization of resources, and enhancing confidence with Member States and development partners, particularly at a time when the Organization is witnessing an expansion in its programs, initiatives, and sectors.

    For his part, Mr. Yussuf Ali Al-Najjar, Chairman of the Committee, commended the initiatives and projects accomplished by ICESCO over the past year, emphasizing that the Committee’s work will focus on verifying the accuracy of data and the integrity of accounts, in a manner that supports ICESCO’s readiness to carry out its mandates in the most effective way.

    The current composition of ICESCO’s Financial Oversight Committee includes Mr. Yussuf Ali Al-Najjar, Representative of the State of Kuwait, as Chairman; Mr. Abdulaziz bin Saad Al-Dabbas, Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as Rapporteur; and the membership of Mr. Hazrul bin Ali, Representative of Malaysia; Mr. Araz Bagirli, Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Mr. El Hadji Habib Kébé, Representative of the Republic of Senegal.

    The Committee’s work will continue over a period of five days, comprising six sessions that will address the presentation of the implementation status of the Committee’s recommendations, the review of the General Directorate’s financial report, the discussion of the external audit firm’s report for the year 2024, as well as the follow-up on Member States’ contributions and the status of interim accounts, prior to the preparation of the draft report and the adoption of the final report.

    ICESCO Director-General Participates in International Forum on Peace and Trust in Turkmenistan

    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.

    ICESCO Participates in Inauguration of Neutrality Monument in Turkmenistan in the Presence of International Leaders

    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.

    ICESCO Director-General Begins Official Visit to Turkmenistan

    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.

    ICESCO Research Group on “Women’s Thought and Creativity in the Islamic World” Holds its First Discussion Session

    As part of ICESCO’s Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the first discussion session of its research group “Women’s Thought and Creativity in the Islamic World,” coinciding with the launch of a new book titled Women’s Thought and Creativity in the Islamic World, which includes 14 academic articles by a group of female researchers.

    In his address during the virtual session held on Monday, 8 December 2025, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of Culture Sector at ICESCO, stressed that the establishment of this research group strengthens the Forum’s international reach, positions culture as a lever for reflecting on global transformations, and reaffirms the importance of women’s scientific and artistic contributions in the Islamic and Arab worlds.

    For her part, Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector at ICESCO, reviewed the Organization’s efforts to support women and highlight their civilizational roles, noting that ICESCO has made women’s creativity a central theme in several of its programs.

    The session featured a series of scholarly interventions presented by the group’s coordinator, Dr. Zoubeida Boukhari, International Consultant in Culture, Education and Environmental Communication, along with several researchers from Arab, European, and African countries. They showcased examples of pioneering women in the fields of thought, literature, science, arts, and medicine, reflecting the diversity of women’s presence in intellectual and cultural domains.

    The discussion session featured the participation of:
    AMori-EdwigeCherif (France), Naïma Berrada Guennoun, Sabah Attab, Dounia Siraj (Morocco), Katia Saab (Lebanon), Fatma Ben Mahmoud, Olfa Abid, Oujdene Jerbi, Amira Loubiri, Rim Foughali (Tunisia), Amel Alchazli (Egypt), Neheda Mohamed Ali (New Zealand – Iraq), Nassira Belloula (Algeria),
    Mori-Edwige Traoré (Burkina Faso).

    ICESCO Director-General Meets Azerbaijani Minister of Science and Education in Baku

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, to discuss ways of strengthening strategic cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan. The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the international conference held in Baku to launch ICESCO’s Artificial Intelligence Index for the Islamic world, organized in collaboration with the Ministry and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baku, Dr. AlMalik commended Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting technology, innovation, and knowledge dissemination, and reaffirmed ICESCO’s readiness to expand joint initiatives aimed at supporting digital education and scientific research in Member States.

    For his part, Mr. Amrullayev stressed the Ministry’s keenness to deepen cooperation with ICESCO in developing artificial intelligence policies, training teachers, and building youth capacities across Member States.

    The meeting featured in-depth discussions on programs and initiatives jointly implemented for the benefit of the Islamic world, particularly in artificial intelligence technologies, as well as an overview of future action plans between both parties in this regard.

    Attending the meeting on behalf of ICESCO were Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the Director-General; Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku; and Mr. Murad Aliyev, Expert at the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

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