Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS), former President of the Republic of Malta, discussed the prospects for cooperation between the Organization and the Foundation in the fields of education, peace, consolidation of the values ​​of coexistence, capacity building training for youth, women and children, heritage preservation and intercultural dialogue.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, via videoconference, with the participation of ICESCO’s heads of sector and experts, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision, initiatives and programs, which aim at building the leadership capacities of young people and women, most notably ICESCO’s Program for Leadership Training in Peace and Security for 30 young people and women from more than 20 countries, who have officially become ICESCO ambassadors for peace.

ICESCO DG indicated that the Organization adopts an open-door policy with the Member and non-Member States, as well as international organizations, bodies, and civil society institutions concerned. It also concludes partnership and cooperation agreements for the benefit of the Member States and the Muslim communities around the world.

For her part, Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca reviewed the working mechanisms and the prominent programs and projects of MFWS, particularly supporting the efforts to improve the wellbeing of children, who constitute the basis for achieving peace in societies, spreading the values ​​of tolerance and respect, and reducing conflicts around the world. Ms. Coleiro Preca also stressed the importance of ensuring the right to education for all, enhancing children’s skills to build harmonious societies, and integrating the social welfare index into the national development policies of countries.

Besides, she commended ICESCO’s efforts to consolidate dialogue and peace, stressing MFWS’s willingness to cooperate with ICESCO given their common areas of interest in terms of projects and target groups, adding that the meeting constitutes a new start to build a constructive and fruitful partnership.

Afterward, some of ICESCO’s heads of sector reviewed the programs and projects implemented in the fields of education, science and culture, and presented proposals for cooperation programs between the Organization and the Foundation. The two parties agreed to develop a partnership within the framework of this strategic vision for social welfare issues and their role in development.

With the high-caliber participation of Culture Ministers of several African countries, representatives of specialized international and African organizations, and experts and students from more than 30 universities and research centers, ICESCO International Conference on Cultural Heritage Preservation, Protection and Promotion of Cultural Heritage in the Context of Insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin Region, kicked off on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is holding the Conference in cooperation with Konrad Adenauer Foundation, both face-to-face at its headquarters and via videoconference, in observance of the Islamic World Heritage Day.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG) gave the opening remark to the three-day event, wherein he noted that the celebration of the Islamic World Heritage Day and the Islamic World Museum Week bears witness to ICESCO’s determination to preserve and develop cultural heritage in the Islamic World, to achieve comprehensive development in the Member States. ICESCO DG mentioned the major progress scored in the process of inscribing cultural heritage on the Islamic World Heritage List, noting that ICESCO is planning to hold several training sessions for the benefit of African professionals in charge of preparing inscription files.

Dr. AlMalik stated that through its “Cultural Strategy for Africa,” issued in May 2021, the Organization has set its priorities in Africa for the next five years through a variety of activities. These include, the DG stated, ICESCO’s participation in African cultural and art festivals, promoting cultural rights, supporting women and the youth’s active participation in cultural projects, training and assisting the Member States in their efforts to safeguard heritage, and developing cultural and creative industries.

At the close of his address, the Director-General called for concerted efforts to overcome the challenges facing the cultural heritage of the Lake Chad Basin in light of the insecurity prevailing in the region.

Following the opening session, the Ministerial session ensued with an address by Dr. Bidoung Mkpatt Ismail, Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of Cameroon, who presented Cameroon’s experience in the field of promoting cultural heritage, commending ICESCO’s efforts to preserve cultural diversity in Africa. For her part, Ms. Amira Elfadil, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union, stated that the Union’s activities seek to develop the policies of the sector of cultural heritage, issue laws to safeguard its elements, and build African capacities in heritage management. Also addressing the panel was Ms. Achta Djibrine Sy, Minister of Culture and Promotion of Diversity of the Republic of Chad, who talked about the various initiatives and programs that the Republic of Chad launched. She added that such initiatives reflect Chad’s commitment to promoting cultural heritage, calling on the participants to work together to find solutions to the challenges facing African heritage.

During the first day of the Conference, participants exchanged ideas and expertise in the field of African cultural heritage and discussed ways to safeguard such heritage in light of the insecurity the region witnesses, and encouraged the inscription of cultural elements on the Islamic World Heritage List.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, received Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on September 26, 2021, in the presence of Dr. Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.

During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the Council of Ministers in Cairo, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly expressed Egypt’s pride in hosting ICESCO’s 14th session of the General Conference, and the 42nd session of the Executive Council, scheduled from 6 to 9 December 2021, stressing that the Egyptian government will provide all possible means to support the success of the conference and the Executive Council.

He also valued the existing relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and ICESCO, stressing his aspiration to enhance its horizons by supporting the fields of scientific research, innovation and knowledge dissemination in the Islamic world.

Dr. AlMalik commended the level of cooperation existing between ICESCO and the Arab Republic of Egypt, as one of the most important countries in the Islamic world and the Middle East. He noted that Egypt’s hosting of the General Conference reflects the centrality of its role in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. He also stressed his aspiration for the success of these conference meetings.

ICESCO DG reviewed ICESCO’s action vision, which is based on more communication with the Member States and the role that ICESCO plays to protect and preserve historical and heritage sites, and to inscribe them on the Islamic World Heritage List.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting with Dr. Inas Abdel Dayem, Egyptian Minister of Culture, to discuss cooperation between ICESCO and Egypt in the field of culture. The two officials also discussed the participation of several Ministry sectors in the activities to be held on the sidelines of the Organization’s Executive Council and General Conference that Egypt will host next December. Dr. Ghada Abdel Bari, Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and several sector officials at the Ministry attended the meeting.

During the meeting, held on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Culture in Cairo, Dr.  AlMalik reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to present the true image of the Islamic culture and civilization, stressing that fine arts are the best way to contribute to assuming such a mission.

The Egyptian Minister hailed the recent dynamism and modernization efforts made by ICESCO, reaffirming the Ministry’s support for the Organization’s cultural activities and its desire to take part in the parallel activities to be held on the sidelines of the General Conference and Executive council.

Moreover, the Minister and heads of sectors at the Ministry presented ideas and suggestions on the nature of such participation and discussed the details of some cultural activities, including holding book fairs and manuscript exhibitions bearing witness to the history of Islamic civilization, folklore exhibitions, galleries, etc.

The two parties agreed to develop cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry in many fields and examined the creation of ICESCO Chair for Opera in Egypt. The Egyptian Opera stands out from the rest of the international opera houses thanks to its presentation of all forms of art, which makes it an integrated cultural hub presenting arts for everyone.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, signed the agreement for hosting the 14^th General Conference and 42^nd Executive Council of ICESCO at the Arab Republic of Egypt, on December 6-9, 2021.

Prior to the signing ceremony, held at the Ministry’s Headquarters, in Cairo, in the presence of Dr. Ghada Abdelbary, Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Commission, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Abdel Ghaffar explored the latest preparations and the main activities planned in parallel with the General Conference and the Executive Council of ICESCO.

The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the success of these two events that Egypt will host for the first time, stressing that all means of comfort will be provided for the participants.

After the signing ceremony, the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research presented ICESCO Director-General with the Ministry’s shield.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Khaled El-Anany, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and together they explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and Egypt in the field of preserving and safeguarding heritage.

During the meeting, held on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Cairo, the two parties reviewed the latest developments regarding the preparations for holding the International Conference on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property and its Restitution, scheduled to be held in Egypt. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of setting a date for such a major event that would ensure the wider participation of countries most affected by this phenomenon. Both Dr. El-Anany and Dr. AlMalik highlighted the significance of the conference in countering the illicit trafficking of cultural property and ensuring its restitution to their original countries.

The meeting also underscored the importance of cultural tourism, which would likely contribute to creating job opportunities and provide revenues that could in turn be used in preserving and safeguarding heritage. The meeting also discussed the inscription of more Egyptian heritage sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

At the close of the meeting, ICESCO DG presented Dr. El-Anany with the Certificate of Inscription of the Nilometer on the Islamic World Heritage List, as part of some of Egypt’s historic sites and cultural elements on the List.