Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Nazarbekov Ozodbek Ahmedovich, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, held a meeting to discuss the preparations for the celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025 as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals of the Islamic World Programme.
During the meeting, which took place on Friday, November 15, 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29, in Baku, Dr. Al-Malik affirmed that the celebration of Samarkand as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, to be organized under the patronage of H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan, will be a great opportunity to showcase the city’s cultural and historical heritage to the world.
For his part, Nazarbekov Ozodbek Ahmedovich stressed the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with ICESCO, as per the directives of the President, to implement various programs throughout 2025, in cooperation with the relevant parties in Uzbekistan.
The two parties agreed that each part prepares its own celebration program, and then a joint committee will devise the comprehensive strategy and program of the celebration, in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture of Uzbekistan.
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.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) 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), at ICESCO’s pavilion during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to explore ways of strengthening collaboration in areas of shared interest.
During the meeting, held Friday (15 November 2024), Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s commitment, through its foresight and strategic orientation, to supporting international efforts to assist the least developed countries in advancing their educational, scientific, and cultural systems. He highlighted various initiatives, programs, and projects aimed particularly at building the capacities of women and youth, preparing them for future professions, fostering entrepreneurship, encouraging investment in modern technology and artificial intelligence applications, and promoting values of coexistence, peace, and intercultural dialogue.
Dr. AlMalik also reviewed the key projects currently being implemented by ICESCO, along with the program of activities at the ICESCO pavilion during COP29, and the Organization’s future plans to contribute to a prosperous future for its Member States. Furthermore, he expressed ICESCO’s willingness to establish fruitful cooperation with the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.
Ms. Dima Al-Khatib commended ICESCO’s efforts and contributions to supporting its Member States, expressing UNOSSC’s readiness to collaborate with the Organization.
The meeting also covered ICESCO’s potential participation in the upcoming meetings of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, set to take place in New York in 2025, as well as joint efforts in information exchange on development policies, and ICESCO’s potential membership in the network launched by UNOSSC to achieve this objective.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Ms. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco, during her visit to ICESCO’s Blue Zone Pavilion at COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The two officials discussed the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry.
During the meeting, held on Thursday (14 November 2024), Dr. Al-Malik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to strengthen its partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco, the seat country, in all fields.
He also reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations as well as its major programs and initiatives, especially in the field of the environment, indicating that the Organization’s participation in international environment-related fora falls within the high priority it attaches to supporting the efforts of its Member States in addressing the climate challenges in the Islamic world.
Moreover, ICESCO DG pointed out that the program of the Organization’s pavilion at COP29 features about 50 diverse activities that tackle the implications of climate change on education, science and culture, and propose solutions to address the relevant challenges.
For her part, the Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development commended the role of ICESCO and the diverse activities of the Organization’s pavilion at COP29.
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 M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, Qatar’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Qatar in the areas of environmental protection and combating the adverse impacts of climate change.
During the Meeting, held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion in COP 29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic direction, particularly in environmental protection and climate change impact mitigation, and outlined the Organization’s key activities at COP 29.
Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s readiness to collaborate with the State of Qatar in implementing joint projects that aim to reduce climate change impacts, promote environmental sustainability, support innovation and green technologies, and enhance environmental awareness and education programs to secure a sustainable future for the Islamic world.
Dr. Al-Subaie, in turn, presented Qatar’s sustainability strategy, which spans several sectors, particularly energy and transportation. This strategy aims to adapt to climate change, protect coastlines, combat desertification, govern water management and reclamation, safeguard biodiversity, build capacities, and mobilize human resources through a series of initiatives and programs.
At the close of the Meeting, both parties agreed to continue coordinating efforts to establish productive collaboration between ICESCO and Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, develop training programs, and support research initiatives to strengthen climate resilience efforts, in a way that furthers the interests of the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, at ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29, in Baku. The two officials discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and IsDB Group in areas of common interest.
During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Dr. Al-Malik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to develop cooperation with the IsDB Group, especially in the fields of sustainable development, education, innovation support and environmental protection.
He also reviewed the major activities of ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29 and a number of proposed initiatives and programs for cooperation between the two parties to meet the needs of Member States.
For his part, Dr. Al Jasser expressed his admiration for ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29 and its activity program at this major global event. He commended ICESCO’s roles and emphasized the IDB Group’s willingness for cooperation. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik and Dr. Al-Jasser stressed the importance of sustaining coordination between the two parties to develop executive plans for the cooperation programs to be agreed upon.
