Category: News update

The Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, took part in the 12th edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), held on 24 and 25 November 2025 in Doha. The event was organized by Qatar’s Ministry of Education and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and brought together over 1,000 participants, including education ministers, policymakers, multilateral organizations, researchers, and EdTech pioneers from around the globe.

Held under the theme “Humanity.io: Human Values at the Heart of Education,” the summit explored bold transformations in education systems based on human values to ensure education remains adaptable, accessible, and relevant.

Dr. AlMalik spoke at a ministerial roundtable titled “Bridging the Gap: Financing Inclusive and Future-Ready Education,” where he addressed strategic opportunities for systemic change to promote access, adaptability, and inclusive education for all. He highlighted approaches such as blended financing, establishing regional funding mechanisms, leveraging strategic partnerships, and results-based financing, emphasizing the importance of supporting local capacities and national innovations as key strategic opportunities.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik underscored the vital role of transformative education that integrates diverse identities and community values while promoting universal human rights and inclusivity. He reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting bold and diversified financing models to foster innovation, citing examples of ICESCO’s strategic partnerships in implementing pioneering projects across Member States. These include two pilot virtual learning projects in Gambia and Pakistan, which trained over 500 teachers and benefited more than 2,000 students, as well as ICESCO’s smart learning program using emerging technologies, expected to benefit 200,000 students, and another program for learning management that will serve 10,000 teachers.

The roundtable, which also featured Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, concluded with organizers pledging to prepare a policy document based on the rich discussions and valuable insights shared by ministers and participants.

Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, received on Monday, 17 November 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Tunisia, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and UN Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

The meeting served as an opportunity to exchange views on the growing challenges related to the rise of hate speech and intolerance, as well as exploring ways to enhance initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of peace and coexistence. Discussions also touched on strengthening joint programs between Tunisia and the two organizations, particularly in the fields of youth, education, and cultural innovation.

The Tunisian Foreign Minister expressed his country’s pride in hosting the Tunis International Symposium on “Strengthening the Role of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Promoting International Peace and Security”, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UNAOC. He reaffirmed Tunisia’s full readiness to support any initiatives and conferences that advance multilateral action in an increasingly volatile global context. He also reiterated Tunisia’s unwavering position in supporting the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

For his part, Dr. AlMalik praised Tunisia’s initiatives in the fields of education, cultural heritage preservation, and capacity-building, stressing ICESCO’s commitment to expanding joint projects with Tunisia, especially in areas related to youth inclusion and women’s empowerment.

Mr. Moratinos also commended Tunisia’s leading role in promoting intercultural dialogue, affirming that the partnership with Tunisia stands as an important model supporting global efforts in this field.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue trilateral coordination to launch new joint programs and further reinforce Tunisia’s position as a hub for dialogue and civilizational convergence.

On Monday, November 17, 2025, His Excellency Kais Saied, President of the Republic of Tunisia, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

During the meeting, discussions focused on a range of current cultural and civilizational issues. President Kais Saied affirmed that no hierarchy should exist between nations or civilizations, stressing that the world is undergoing rapid change that requires us to rethink certain concepts that have become obsolete or outdated.

The Head of State also stressed the need to base any alliance on common human and universal values. He pointed out that those who advocate confrontation between civilizations or express hostility towards Islam and many peoples have been proven wrong by reality and will ultimately be discredited by history.

The President of the Republic concluded by recalling that justice and freedom must prevail within states and form the foundation of any human society. He denounced the division of peoples into “civilized” and “barbaric,” which he described as a racial discrimination inherited from colonialism, the source of tragedies, wars, and the plundering of the wealth of long-oppressed peoples. He reaffirmed that a new legitimacy is emerging, bringing with it the values of freedom, justice, and true emancipation.

For his part, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik highlighted the need to find practical solutions to humanitarian crises, based on reliable data, rapid response, and capacity building for local actors. He stressed that these approaches are inspired by the Tunisian national motto, “Order, Justice, and Freedom,” which he considers to be the pillars of any inclusive civilizational project. He further added that a world that does not rely on these values will not be able to establish lasting peace or guarantee equitable development.

The Tunis International Symposium on “Activating the Role of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Supporting International Peace and Security” kicked off in Tunis, Tunisia, on Monday, 17 November 2025. The event was organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, as well as the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. The opening session witnessed the presence of several ministers and senior officials, ambassadors of Member States, representatives of international and regional organizations, in addition to experts and academics from various countries around the world.

In his speech during the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized the central role of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in confronting the escalating challenges that threaten international peace and security. He pointed out that the symposium serves as an essential preparatory milestone for the 11th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the period spanning from 14 to 15 December 2025. He also stressed that the symposium contributes to shaping unified visions aimed at strengthening international cooperation in dialogue and intercultural understanding.

Dr. AlMalik presented ICESCO’s new concept of “Civilizational Diplomacy” as an ambitious vision that moves from idea to implementation through partnerships. He also affirmed that establishing an operational network for civilizational diplomacy is the path toward realizing the goals of the unifying theme of dialogue. He further highlighted the establishment of the ICESCO Chair for the Alliance of Civilizations at Qatar University and the development of a track of related educational, scientific, and cultural programs aimed at empowering youth.

For his part, Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, stressed that civilizational alliance should not remain a rhetorical framework but must become an effective mechanism for addressing major issues that shake the human conscience, foremost among them the Palestinian cause and what civilians in Gaza are enduring under occupation.

Similarly, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, affirmed that peace is not built on fear or suspicion, but on dialogue, dignity, and mutual respect—values that form the essence of the Alliance and the reason for its existence.

During the discussions, participants addressed the most pressing contemporary challenges facing intercivilizational dialogue, with special focus on the five pillars of the Alliance: education, media, migration, women’s empowerment, and the role of youth. They underscored the need to develop innovative mechanisms to consolidate values of mutual understanding and enhance societies’ capacities to counter hate speech and division, particularly amid rising international crises.

Following this, participants presented a set of practical proposals to reinforce the principles of the Alliance, most notably: launching national and regional initiatives for intercultural dialogue; developing plans to combat hate speech and misinformation; supporting the integration of women and youth in peace and reconciliation programs; enhancing international cooperation in civilizational diplomacy; developing preventive mechanisms to address conflicts with cultural or civilizational dimensions; and building the capacities of media institutions through specialized “Media for Peace” training programs.

The symposium concluded by emphasizing the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation and ensuring sustainable financial and logistical support for initiatives related to dialogue and peace, while renewing participants’ commitment to continuing joint efforts to entrench the values of understanding and to reinforce international efforts that support global peace and security.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, along with Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Regional Office of ICESCO in the United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, 13 November 2025. The Office is located in the University City of Sharjah.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, together with the ICESCO Director-General, unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the official inauguration of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Sharjah, which will provide the Organization with the necessary resources to carry out its tasks in its areas of action through educational, scientific, and cultural activities, and by providing the best technical, scientific, and practical services and institutional support to Member States. Sharjah was chosen for its distinguished cultural status and its hosting of prominent institutions such as museums and research centers, in addition to its geographical location, which facilitates access to the Gulf countries, the Middle East, and North Africa.

On this occasion, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah wrote in the visitors’ book: “This morning, we are delighted to meet our partners in science and knowledge. Hands have been extended and minds have been set on sincere and honest work, extending first to humanity and then to minds that Allah has blessed with sincere faith and work for the advancement of Islam. Let us always be together and sincere in our giving.”

Dr. AlMalik also delivered a speech, commending the efforts of the Emirate of Sharjah and its Ruler in supporting cultural and scientific organizations, stressing that the opening of the ICESCO Regional Office in the Emirate was made possible thanks to the insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi in making culture a living project vibrant with knowledge and creativity, describing Sharjah, under its wise leadership, as having always believed that the real investment is in people, and that building minds is the best way to shape the future.

Dr. AlMalik announced that ICESCO is proud to award the title of “Guardian of Knowledge” to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in recognition of his decades-long efforts, during which he has been a symbol of knowledge, an icon of creativity, and a supporter of creators and intellectuals. This title is in recognition of his steadfast efforts in serving culture, supporting science, nurturing literature and arts, and consolidating the values of identity, openness, and wisdom.

In his address, the Director-General of the Organization discussed the functions of the new headquarters, which will serve as a platform for promoting cultural communication and a center for implementing programs and initiatives that serve humanity, celebrate the word, the idea, the painting, and the image, and affirm Sharjah’s status as a beacon of knowledge and cultural influence.

For his part, Salem Omar Salem, Director of the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, emphasized that the Office will be a beacon that guides, evaluates, and provides solutions to decision-makers and cultural leaders, bringing together minds in an environment that ignites thought and inspires creativity. He emphasized the Regional Office’s commitment to harnessing knowledge to serve humanity, supporting education and scientific research, embracing digital culture, and promoting sustainable development.

The ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah was built on the ground floor and includes a comprehensive set of administrative, technical, and service departments. It covers an area of more than 3,000 square meters within a total land area of more than 42,000 square meters. The building can accommodate 95 employees and is equipped to receive 245 visitors in its various facilities, such as the theater, training hall, and reception hall, bringing the total capacity for employees and visitors to 340.

The Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, received the Director-General of the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO), Dr. Nasser Al-Hattlan Al-Qahtani, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat.

During the Meeting, the two sides explored potential areas of mutual cooperation between their organizations across several shared fields, including administrative development, intellectual property, and the preservation of cultural heritage. They also discussed opportunities for exchanging expertise and implementing joint programs that would contribute to achieving their shared goals and serving their Member States.

For his part, Dr. Salim AlMalik emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and ARADO, welcoming the opening of new horizons for coordination in distinctive projects and initiatives that serve the Member States and promote cultural and administrative development in the Islamic world.

At the close of the meeting, both parties agreed to enhance future partnership and cooperation in various areas that help foster sustainable development and advance administrative, cultural, and knowledge transformation across the Islamic world.

It is worth noting that ICESCO and ARADO are currently co-organizing the Fourth International Forum on Cultural Heritage Management, held under the theme “Manuscript Heritage in Light of Legal Frameworks, Preservation, and Digital Transformation.” The forum is taking place at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat from 11 to 13 November 2025, with the participation of a distinguished group of experts, researchers, and specialists in heritage, manuscripts, and Arabic calligraphy.