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    Category: Front Page

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    With ICESCO Director-General in Attendance…Russian President Highlights Culture’s Role in Fostering Communication and Dialogue at St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    In the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, delivered an address during the main session of the 12th St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum. He highlighted culture’s role in Fostering communication and dialogue among peoples and overcoming political and economic challenges.

    In his address, delivered on Friday, 25 September 2026, and attended by a number of senior officials, ministers, and heads of international organizations, President Putin highlighted Russia’s cultural and linguistic diversity throughout history as a space for civilizational exchange. He affirmed that the unity of peoples is founded on the cohesion of societies in their distinctiveness, and that shared values lie in respect for dignity, historical memory, creativity, constructive work, and diversity of perspectives.

    President Putin also highlighted Russia’s international standing in academic and cultural education, reviewing his country’s efforts to integrate classical education with modern technologies.

    It is worth noting that the St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, held this year under the theme “United Cultures, Common Values,” brings together representatives of 70 countries. It seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, promote cultural diversity, preserve heritage, and foster cooperation in the fields of culture and the arts. The Forum also discusses issues relating to the contemporary cultural landscape across countries, nationalities, and disciplines, while facilitating the exchange of views and knowledge on achieving a balance between cultural identity and modern technologies, strengthening cultural sovereignty amid contemporary challenges, and developing educational curricula in creative fields.

    ICESCO International Forum “Culture to Rethink the World” Celebrates its Fifth Anniversary

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held an international cultural meeting to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the launch of its international forum, “Culture to Rethink the World.” The meeting reviewed five years of reflection, research, and cultural action, bringing together researchers, academics, experts, and cultural practitioners who are members of the Forum. They presented their key contributions and exchanged views on the new challenges facing the cultural sector and the Forum’s future work.

    Opening the meeting, held via videoconference on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, recalled the conviction on which the Forum was founded: culture has moved beyond being heritage that must be safeguarded to become a force for thought, creativity, and innovation, capable of keeping pace with societal transformations. He also outlined the Forum’s structure, comprising the ICESCO Center for Holistic Policies for the Promotion of Cultural Reality, the ICESCO International Chairs Network for Thought, Heritage, Literature, and Arts, research groups, the “Youth Elite” Program, and the ICESCO International Network of Civil Society Communities for Culture and Development.

    The Head of the Culture Sector presented figures highlighting the scale of the Forum’s achievements. Its network now comprises more than 200 members representing over 30 nationalities, 10 ICESCO Chairs across eight countries, and 13 research groups. It also includes an international civil society network bringing together more than 60 organizations from over 28 countries, active in more than 50 fields.

    In terms of intellectual output, the Forum mobilized more than 90 authors and researchers to prepare over 15 strategic studies, including studies on cultural GDP and employability in the cultural sector. It organized more than 85 virtual seminars and over eight international exhibitions, and published 17 books and collective works, as well as more than 200 articles on the “ICESCO Creative” platform. In terms of impact, more than nine programs and six international projects were implemented, directly benefiting over 7,000 people.

    The meeting was moderated by Zineb Bougrine and Sidi Ahmed Jawad from the Culture Sector. It featured contributions from representatives of the Chairs Network, most notably Dr. Fawzi Mahfoudh, Supervisor of the ICESCO “Ibn Khaldun Chair for Culture and Heritage” in Tunisia; Dr. Sana Ghouati, Supervisor of the ICESCO “Chair for Comparative Literature and Arts” in Morocco; and Brazilian artist and researcher Dr. Sandra Rey, Supervisor of the ICESCO “Art and Nature: Hybrid Processes” Chair in Brazil.

    The discussion also featured Dr. Rim Jallouli, Expert in Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development; Dr. Mohamed Amine Hammami, artist and international expert in digital creativity and digital culture; artist and composer Rafik Gharbi; and Dr. Bouazza Benachir. They all highlighted the importance of developing new approaches to cultural policies based on indicators that measure cultural development. They also addressed the relationship between technology and innovation, alongside the contemporary challenges facing culture.

    ICESCO Participates in First International Conference on African Manuscript Heritage in Russia

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    Saint Petersburg: 25 September 2026

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the First International Conference on African Manuscript Heritage, held on 23 and 24 September 2026 at the National Library of Russia in Saint Petersburg, under the theme “The Comprehensive Study of African Manuscript Heritage: Codicology, Paleography, Textology, History of Collections, Cataloguing, and Conservation.” The Conference was jointly organized by Libya’s Al-Shaikh Al-Tahir Al-Zawi Center for Research and Manuscript Studies (TCRMS) and the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at Saint Petersburg State University (FAAS).

    In an address delivered on his behalf during the opening session by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, underscored the major civilizational and historical significance of African manuscripts. He noted that these manuscripts provide compelling evidence of the intellectual advancement achieved across Africa’s diverse peoples and languages, as well as the centuries-long flourishing of writing traditions and manuscript production. Dr. AlMalik also reviewed ICESCO’s ongoing efforts in this field, including the organization of scientific events, training workshops, and activities aimed at preserving this cultural heritage.

    He further noted that ICESCO is currently developing a joint program with the African Cultural Institute (ACI) to restore Timbuktu’s historic manuscripts, as part of the Organization’s continuing international efforts to protect Africa’s cultural and human heritage.

    During the first scientific session, titled “Toward Codicological Cataloguing of African Arabic Manuscripts,” Dr. Ahmed Abdelbaset, expert at the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts at ICESCO, discussed the concept of Codicological Cataloguing, comparing it with the three recognized levels of traditional descriptive cataloguing. He also outlined the extensive knowledge required of manuscript cataloguers and the need for a thorough understanding of the physical dimensions of African manuscripts.

    Over the course of two days, the Conference featured a range of substantive scientific presentations, as well as visits to the halls of the National Library of Russia, where they viewed its rare works and collections.

    ICESCO Reviews Knowledge and Innovation Efforts at 30th Annual International Management Conference in Uganda

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    Kampala: 24 September 2026

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated on Thursday, 24 September 2026, in the 30th Annual International Management Conference, organized by Makerere University Business School in Uganda in a hybrid format under the theme “Knowledge Revolution: Driving Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa.” The conference brought together academics, researchers, officials, entrepreneurs, experts, and specialists to discuss the role of knowledge, innovation, and scientific research in advancing sustainable development across the continent.

    ICESCO was represented at a conference panel on “Knowledge for Development” by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Director-General’s Office, Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector. The panel also brought together representatives of international organizations and institutions, notably the African Union, the United Nations Development Programme, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Bank of Uganda, North-West University in South Africa, RenuMesh Technologies, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa.

    Dr. Mabrouk delivered a presentation titled “Advancing Knowledge Societies in Africa: From Knowledge Production to Sustainable Development Impact,” highlighting the role of knowledge societies in developing infrastructure for development. She stressed the importance of strengthening African countries’ capacity to produce and harness knowledge and reviewed the key challenges facing the continent’s knowledge ecosystems, including the gap between scientific research and policymaking, unequal access to opportunities, limited institutional capacity, and insufficient exchange of expertise.

    Moreover, Dr. Mabrouk highlighted ICESCO’s efforts as a platform for knowledge cooperation among its 53 Member States, including 17 African countries, to advance education, science, technology, foresight, artificial intelligence, culture, and international partnerships. These efforts are pursued through a range of activities and initiatives, notably the Youth Knowledge Forum and the “10,000 AI Leaders” Program.

    ICESCO, UN Explore Cooperation Prospects in AI and Emerging Technologies

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Amandeep Singh Gill, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, to discuss avenues and mechanisms for cooperation between ICESCO and the United Nations in artificial intelligence and capacity-building in science.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, in New York City, the two sides explored opportunities for cooperation to support artificial intelligence initiatives, raise awareness of its applications, and promote the responsible use of modern technologies across various fields. They also discussed supporting countries in developing national strategies to integrate artificial intelligence, given technology’s pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and meeting the aspirations of communities across the Islamic world.

    Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO seeks to foster a culture of innovation among young people in its Member States, highlighting the Organization’s efforts in modern technology through several pioneering initiatives and programs, most notably the “Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World,” the “10K AI Leaders” Program, and the “ICESCO Network of Experts in Quantum Sciences.”

    Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s role in expanding researchers’ access to advanced scientific infrastructure through an agreement signed with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University to develop the “Inclusive Access to Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing Infrastructure” initiative. The initiative aims to broaden researchers’ access, particularly in the Global South, to computing resources by leveraging the University’s facilities, while also developing their capacities through training and joint research projects.

    For his part, Dr. Gill presented the United Nations Secretary-General’s proposal to establish a global fund for artificial intelligence capacity-building by mobilizing an initial investment of US$3 billion to facilitate knowledge exchange and support countries in developing these modern technologies and harnessing their potential.

    The meeting also addressed the widening artificial intelligence divide among countries and the need for Global South countries to develop expertise and build capacity in computing and data infrastructure. It was also attended by by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector; Dr. Yergaliyev Kuanysh, Head of Science and Environment Sector; and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Sector.

    ICESCO, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation Explore Partnership Prospects

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at the Office’s headquarters in New York City, United States.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s key initiatives and programs and their tangible results across its Member States. He underscored the Organization’s commitment to expanding its international partnerships and sharing successful expertise in support of sustainable development efforts and a stronger standing for countries of the Global South in shaping future solutions.

    For her part, Ms. Al-Khatib expressed appreciation for ICESCO’s qualitative programs and commended the rapid progress it has made across its areas of action. She also invited ICESCO to join the “Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation,” an international platform that connects development needs with available expertise and opportunities and scales up successful solutions across countries of the Global South.

    The meeting also addressed ICESCO’s potential membership in the “South-South Global Thinkers” initiative, a global coalition of think tank networks that enriches public policy dialogue, facilitates knowledge exchange, and promotes perspectives from the Global South on international development issues.

    Both sides stressed the importance of building institutional cooperation that harnesses ICESCO’s capacities and extensive network across its Member States, contributes to youth and women empowerment, strengthens development solidarity, and transforms shared knowledge into initiatives with sustainable impact.

    At the close of the meeting, Ms. Al-Khatib thanked Dr. AlMalik for his visit and expressed her anticipation of fruitful cooperation between UNOSSC and ICESCO.

    ICESCO, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Innovation and Technology

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    New York: 22 September 2026

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the fields of science, technology, innovation, higher education, and science diplomacy. The agreement aims to develop initiatives, programs, and partnerships that contribute to sustainable development and strengthen international scientific cooperation.

    The agreement was signed on Monday, 21 September 2026, in New York City, United States of America, on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy and Global Cooperation, held as part of the 2026 Science Summit. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Saule Sagintayeva, President of Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University in Kazakhstan, representing the Ministry.

    The agreement identifies several key areas of cooperation, notably science diplomacy; the advancement of research excellence, innovation ecosystems, and advanced technologies; capacity-building and human capital development through training programs and academic cooperation; harnessing science for sustainable development; and institutional cooperation among universities, research centers, and centers of excellence.

    Under the agreement, cooperation between the two parties will also include developing joint programs, projects, and initiatives; establishing platforms, networks, observatories, and institutional centers to advance scientific cooperation and innovation; organizing conferences, forums, and training workshops; and exchanging experts, data, and best practices.

    ICESCO Signs Two Agreements with Universities in Kazakhstan to Expand Access to High-Performance Computing and Enhance the Developmental Roles of Science and Technology

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    New York: 22 September 2026

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed, on Monday, 21 September 2026, two cooperation agreements with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) and Khoja Ahmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University (AYU) to expand access to high-performance computing and advance cooperation in scientific research, education, and innovation.

    The first agreement was signed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Mr. Samgat Yermekbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board and First Vice-Rector of KazNU, on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education in New York, USA, as part of the Science Summit 2026.

    The Agreement aims to expand researchers’ access in ICESCO Member States to high-performance computing resources by leveraging the computing facilities of KazNU, as well as to build their capacities through training and joint research projects. This will contribute to narrowing disparities in computing capabilities and harnessing them for knowledge production and the development of innovative solutions.

    The second MoU was signed by Dr. Salim AlMalik and Dr. Zhanar Temirbekova, Rector of AYU. It focuses on advancing cooperation in science, technology, and innovation; supporting research on environmental and climate issues; developing youth capacities; and expanding opportunities for education, scholarships, and academic exchange.

    The MoU also provides for cooperation in science diplomacy and peacebuilding, as well as safeguarding the heritage of the Islamic world and Turkic-speaking regions, by supporting intercultural dialogue and understanding and exchanging knowledge related to this heritage. It also enables the launch of joint initiatives linking scientific research with social responsibility and supporting the contribution of universities to preserving civilizational memory.

    The two agreements offer a framework that brings together access to computing infrastructure and the development of academic partnerships, linking research and training to practical applications and expanding the participation of scientific institutions in Member States in knowledge production and its application in the service of development.

    ICESCO Issues New York Declaration on Science Diplomacy at Conclusion of High-Level Dialogue

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held the first High-Level Dialogue on Science Diplomacy and Global Cooperation on Monday, September 21, 2026, in New York, United States. The event brought together officials from government bodies, international organizations, and scientific institutions to discuss ways of leveraging science diplomacy to strengthen international cooperation in higher education and translate scientific and technological capacities into tangible impact.

    The dialogue, held as part of this year’s Science Summit in conjunction with the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), opened with remarks by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General. He highlighted the importance of science diplomacy in advancing knowledge and progress, stressing that many scientific discoveries capable of protecting societies from contemporary challenges remain out of reach because countries lack the necessary infrastructure and partnerships.

    Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education for its cooperation with ICESCO in organizing the dialogue, noting that science diplomacy lies at the heart of the Organization’s priorities. He added that ICESCO is developing its areas of competence through an approach based on impact, inclusiveness, creativity, and sustainability.

    In this regard, the ICESCO Director-General stated that the Organization is working to develop a framework for the mutual recognition of academic qualifications in 15 countries, as well as permanent mechanisms for science diplomacy to connect scientists with diplomats, universities with governments, and scientific research with policymaking.

    Following, Dr. Yergaliyev Kuanysh, Head of the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO, moderated a panel that saw the participation of Dr. AlMalik; Mr. Didar Temenov, Director of the Multilateral Cooperation Department of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation; Dr. Saule Sagintayeva, President of Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University in Kazakhstan; Ms. Susie Kitchens, Director of Science Diplomacy at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; Dr. Saifur Rahman, Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Climate Magazine, Director of the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute, Dr. Brando Okolo, Head of the Science, Technology and Innovationat the African Union Development Agency; and Mr. Seán Kelly, Member of the European Parliament.

    At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants issued the “New York Declaration on Science Diplomacy for Inclusive Global Development,” affirming the commitment of participating institutions to employ science diplomacy to advance cooperation among countries, governments, universities, research institutions, the private sector, and civil society. The Declaration aims to promote innovation, sustainable development, and the contribution of Global South countries to science, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges, foremost among them climate change, security, and health. It emphasized that science diplomacy provides a practical means of developing research infrastructure, modern technologies, and the capacities of future generations of scientists and diplomats.

    ICESCO Director-General Discusses Prospects for Scientific and Academic Cooperation with Kazakh University Leaders

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and the Science Summit 2026 in New York City, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with several Kazakh universities presidents and their deputies participating in the Summit.

    During the meeting, held on Monday, 21 September 2026, Dr. AlMalik presented ICESCO’s vision and flagship programs in education and scientific research. He also discussed prospects for cooperation with Kazakh universities through joint programs and projects, the establishment of academic chairs, and the provision of scholarships for the Islamic world youth.

    Dr. AlMalik also gave a presentation on the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), an ICESCO-affiliated body, outlining its objectives and aspirations to build an effective university network that advances higher education and strengthens the standing of universities of the Islamic world on the international stage. He invited Kazakh universities to join the Federation and participate in its initiatives.

    The university presidents and their deputies expressed appreciation for ICESCO’s programs, affirming their interest in developing cooperation with the Organization and FUIW through scientific forums and conferences, support for projects and programs of mutual interest, and the exchange of academic expertise. Several universities also expressed their readiness to offer scholarships through ICESCO for students from Islamic world countries.

    Dr. AlMalik proposed that a Kazakh university host the seventh edition of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, organized by FUIW, and that coordination and preparations for this event begin. The proposal was welcomed by several university presidents, who expressed interest in hosting the Forum.

    At the close of the meeting, the participants reiterated their commitment to translating the ideas discussed into practical programs and sustainable academic partnerships and expressed their gratitude to the ICESCO Director-General for this initiative.