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    ICESCO Director-General Meets with OIC Secretary-General in Jeddah

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Youssef bin Ahmad Al-Othamimeen, Secretary-General (SG) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and together they explored several issues of mutual interest. The two parties stressed the importance of keeping the working committee that they set up to coordinate between the two organizations.

    During the meeting held on Monday, February 15, 2021, at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the two parties reaffirmed the complementary relation between the two organizations. They also discussed the significance of specialized sector-based conferences and the need to consider the geographical distribution in selecting the venues for these conferences.

    Dr. AlMalik highlighted the key programmes the Organization implements including programmes for training and building the capacities of young people in the Islamic world through leadership incubators. He also discussed ICESCO’s proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, stressing the importance of the OIC participation in the year’s activities and programmes as well as the participation of the Organization for Women Development in OIC Member States.   

    The two parties agreed to implement several joint programmes to be set through the Joint Committee, which holds its meetings annually to coordinate between the two organizations. They also agreed to hold the Committee’s meeting soon to review the details of these programmes.

    At the close of the meeting, ICESCO DG expressed, on his and the Organization’s behalf, his thanks and appreciation to the OIC SG for his keenness to sustain constructive cooperation between the two parties.

    Several OIC officials attended the meeting namely, Ambassador Tariq Bakhit, Assistant SG for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs; Dr. Amina Obeid Al-Hajri, DG of the Department of Cultural and Social and Family Affairs; and Dr. Maha Aqil, Director of the Department of Family Affairs. 

    ICESCO and Saudi Ministry of Education Explore Cooperation Prospects

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Al Sheikh, Minister of Education of Saudi Arabia, and together they explored prospects of developing cooperation between ICESCO and the Ministry.

    During the meeting, held Sunday, February 14, 2021, at the headquarters of the Ministry in Riyadh, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s major achievements and work carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the field of education. The DG also discussed the aids ICESCO provided for vulnerable Member States to support their efforts to ensure the continuity of schooling.

    The two parties discussed ways to overcome several educational challenges witnessed during the pandemic including the growing education wastage and the evaluation of technical education platform. They also reviewed distance education programs and Saudi Arabia’s successful experience in the field and explored the possibility of transferring the experience in several ICESCO Member States, especially in Africa.

    The DG and the Saudi Minister agreed to work towards developing cooperation between the Organization and the Ministry over the next period.

    ICESCO Participates in Celebration of Chinese New Year

    As part of its new vision and action strategy based on an open-door policy with the countries of the world, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated on February 12, 2021, in the Chinese New Year celebration. ICESCO organized the webinar with the participation of high-level Chinese and foreign personalities, to promote the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue and serve Muslim communities in non-Member States. 

    The webinar examined the cultural and civilizational dimensions of the Chinese calendar, the significance of the celebration and its historical importance, as well as the dimensions of cultural diplomacy, China’s civilizational influence, and the depth of cultural relations between China and the Islamic world.

    The event then moved on to discuss China’s successful economic experience and how the Islamic world can benefit from it, as well as how the distinguished relations with countries in the Islamic world allow for China’s greater openness to the world.

    The participants reviewed several innovative ideas and new academic programs  exploring the strategic dimensions of China’s relations with the Islamic world that go beyond approaches to globalization and seek a scientific positioning corresponding to the specificity and excellence of these relations.

    Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of the Department of Dialogue and Cultural Diversity, Dr. Sidra Tariq Jamil, Communication Expert at the same Department, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General in charge of International Cooperation and Partnerships represented ICESCO. Chinese employees from Huawei in Morocco also participated in the meeting at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. 

    The Ambassador of Pakistan to Morocco, the Cultural Advisor of the Embassy of China in Rabat and researchers from various prestigious universities in China, Ireland, the United States, Pakistan, and Singapore attended the webinar.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Delegation from Diplomatic Circle of Rabat

    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Friday, February 12, 2021 at the Organization’s headquarters, Mrs. Nidaa Ezzat Sabry, President of the Arab Group within the Rabat Diplomatic Circle, as well as her accompanying delegation composed of spouses of diplomats and ambassadors accredited to Morocco, members of the Circle. The aim of the visit was to examine means of cooperation in the programs and activities that ICESCO will implement, as part of its proclamation of the 2021 Year of Women.

    During the meeting, held in the presence of ICESCO’s women leaders, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main objectives of the Year of Women, namely strengthening the roles of women and girls in all the Organization’s fields of competence by providing them with opportunities to participate in the fight against gender inequality.

    The DG pointed out ICESCO’s open-door policy and cooperation with all international and regional organizations, bodies, and civil society institutions and organizations, to ensure the practical implementation of the objectives of the Year of Women. The goal is to contribute to capacity building and making a brighter future for girls, women, and the world.

    At the close of the meeting, the delegation of the Diplomatic Circle of Rabat paid a visit to the Leaders’ Incubator that ICESCO has recently launched to train young people in leadership in the Organization’s fields of competence. Several female interns in the DG’s Office made a presentation on their internship and experience within ICESCO, as well as on their contribution with the experts in developing the future vision of the Organization.

    The delegation held a meeting with a number of heads of ICESCO’s sectors and departments to discuss the programs and activities that both parties will implement in the fields of education, science, culture, and social and human affairs.

    ICESCO Director-General Reaffirms the Imperative of Gender Equality in Science

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed that supporting women, promoting their roles, and achieving gender equality in the field of science is an absolute necessity in the current times. He stressed that we need all intellectual and research capacities to face the deadly strains of viruses that continue to threaten humanity.

    The DG made the statement in his address during the annual celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, that the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) held via videoconference, from the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York. The Organizers held the event under the theme “Equality in science for the sake of society” and saw the participation of H.R.H. Princess Nesrine Al-Hashemi, Executive Director of the Academy, Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, in addition to several high-level international figures from different fields. 

    Dr. AlMalik stated that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a negative impact on female scientists, especially those in the early stages of their professional life. The impact, he reaffirmed, expanded the existing gap between men and women in the field of scientific research, warning against the re-adoption of practices from the past such as oppressing women and depriving them of their rights, as they are to cause a 50% loss in the working force and extinguished multiple opportunities to fight deadly viruses.

    ICESCO DG stressed the need for the roles of female doctors and scientists in leading the fight against deadly diseases and guide societies towards stability thanks to their roles as mothers and wives.

    The DG stated that history abounds with shining examples of women’s contribution to education and science, inviting all international organizations and bodies to take part in ICESCO’s activities and programs for the year 2021, which ICESCO proclaimed as the Year of Women under the theme “Women and the Future.”

    At the close of his address, the DG announced that, as part of its activities to celebrate the Year of Women, the Organization will launch an award for “Outstanding Women and Girls in Science in Member States,” which will be given to the best researchers.

    High-level Participation in Opening of ICESCO’s Celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science

    The opening session of the celebration of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), moderated the event that included face-to-face and videoconference contributions and witnessed high-level participation from all over the world.

    The Organization held the celebration as part of the programmes and activities of ICESCO’s Year of Women under the theme: “Narrowing the Gender Gap Starts with Science” under the high patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI of Morocco, in partnership with the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), a member of Leibniz Association Germany, and Space Foundation in the United States. The opening session of the celebration featured addresses by Dr. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan.

    Dr. Aliyeva expressed her thanks and appreciation for the achievements ICESCO has scored in supporting women, especially in science, while stressing that achieving sustainable development hinges on making progress in science and innovation. In her address, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, said that the gender gap in science is a global phenomenon that needs to be redressed. She put forward many proposals and ideas to achieve the goal. H.R.H. Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, said that despite the efforts being made to support and provide opportunities for women and girls, there is still a long and difficult path to travel. She then praised the roles ICESCO plays in supporting women in the areas falling under the realm of its competence. For his part, Dr. Al-Malik reaffirmed that the Organization has prepared its ambitious programme “Women for the Future” for 2021 through which it aims to support women in several areas to overcome various challenges, including in the field of science.

    ICESCO DG explained that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development needs everyone’s participation and sincere efforts to reduce gender disparities in science, technology, and innovation (STI). He deplored that despite the efforts made to enhance women’s and girls’ science education and the increase in women’s and girls’ enrollment, many drop out before scoring distinguished achievement in scientific research. “Women researchers across the globe represent only 28.8% of the total number of people involved in the field of scientific research, and only 27% of the countries of the world achieved gender parity in 2016,” the DG added. The DG stressed the need for action to change the situation. He stressed that ICESCO, as part of its new vision, will spare no effort and will invest its expertise and resources to support women in the field of science, technology, education, and culture. The Organization is also willing to cooperate with countries, institutions, and interested people to provide opportunities for women and girls to enhance their role in science and technology, he continued. The first session then kicked off face-to-face at ICESCO headquarters and brought together many ambassadors accredited to Morocco and experts in the field of science. High-profile female figures, Nobel Prize laureates in the fields of science, specialists, and professors at prestigious universities from all over the world also attended the first session remotely.

    ICESCO Unveils Program of Celebration of Year of Women 2021 under High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held on February 11, a press conference announcing its major programs and activities for 2021, which the Organization has proclaimed as the Year of Women themed “Women for the Future” under the high patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

    At the onset of the press conference, which ICESCO held at its headquarters through videoconference, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), expressed his thanks and gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for responding to ICESCO’s request to confer his patronage on the Year of Women. The step is an example of the attention the monarch accords to the Organization following in the footsteps of his father, late King Hassan II, may Allah rest his soul in peace.

    Dr. AlMalik stated that, through the proclamation of 2021 as the Year of Women, ICESCO seeks to honor women and promote their leading role and high status as part of ICESCO’s new vision contained in its Strategic Plan 2020-2030. The Vision, Dr. AlMalik added, aims to build an innovative and smart civilizational system for the Muslim world and enable women, youth, and children to exercise their educational, scientific, cultural, technological, and environmental rights.

    ICESCO DG reaffirmed that the Celebration’s program includes four lines of action, namely conferences, forums, programs and projects, studies and awards, as well as initiatives.

    “These themes focus on the empowerment, rehabilitation, capacity-building and integration of women within society, as well as combating illiteracy, ensuring the right of girls to education and addressing gender discrimination,” he added.

    Dr. AlMalik pointed out that this two-pronged program targets women inside ICESCO and in the Member States. “First, it seeks to ensure the principle of equal opportunities, train women leaders, provide a woman-friendly work environment, establish a department for women, provide leadership trainings for as many girls as possible in the fields relevant to the Organization’s fields of action throughout 2021, and honor ICESCO’s female staff members as part of the “Model Women Staff Member Program,” he underscored.

    Dr. AlMalik added that in Member States, ICESCO will implement and support women-specific programs and activities, allocate a budget to support women novice innovators and entrepreneurs, train the maximum number of girls and women in the Organization’s areas of competence, and establish a set of specialized women’s networks in the Islamic world.

    The DG underscored that “this part of the program aims to enhance the presence of Muslim women in international events and ensure respect for their identity; publish and translate outstanding women’s literary works; provide annual scholarships for talented women in the Organization’s areas of action.”

    “ICESCO will also dedicate programs for protecting women against all forms of violence, support Member States in fighting school dropout among girls, reduce the rate of illiteracy among women and distribute from 25,000 up to 50,000 computers to women in Member States, in cooperation with donors and local women’s institutions and associations as well as the National Commissions,” highlighted Dr. AlMalik.

    After reviewing the broad lines of ICESCO’s programs and activities scheduled for the Year of Women 2021, Dr. AlMalik received journalists’ questions that focused on the details, budget, target groups, and share of rural women in these programs.

    Dr. AlMalik along with the heads and directors of ICESCO’s sectors and departments answered all questions, stressing that the programs, which target all girls and women, will be funded in partnership between ICESCO and several cooperating institutions and donors.

    ICESCO Takes Part in Symposium on Interreligious Councils

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the opening session of the Global Interreligious Council Development Webinars for 2021 that Religions for Peace (RfP) organized through videoconference, on interreligious councils. The event was under the theme “Building and equipping interreligious councils for peace and human fraternity”, with the participation of the leaders and representatives of several religious councils.

    Dr. Sidra Tariq Jamil, expert at the Department of Dialogue and Cultural Diversity, and Mr. Mehdi Sabbar, specialist at the Department, represented ICESCO at the symposium. They reviewed the strategic objectives of ICESCO’s new vision, particularly supporting interfaith cooperation and global partnerships, promoting gender equality and environment protection, advocating the freedom of religion and thought, and strengthening interfaith education.

    The symposium provided an opportunity for participants to tackle ideas on interfaith councils and concluded with the statements of the representatives of the Global Interreligious Council Development Webinars.

    ICESCO to Hold this Thursday Major Event on International Day of Women and Girls in Science

    Under the high patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI, may Allah preserve him, of ICESCO’s Year of Women 2021, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) will hold, on Thursday, February 11, 2021, a major international event in celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The celebration is under the theme “Narrowing the Gender Gap Starts with Science,” and is being conducted in partnership with the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT) of the Leibniz Association in Germany and Space Foundation in the United States.


    The event, which will take place face-to-face at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat and also by videoconference at 09.00 UTC, is part of the international programs and activities the Organization will implement throughout the year in appreciation of the role of women and promotion of their status.


    Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady and First Vice President of Azerbaijan, will give a recorded address at the celebration opening. The opening ceremony will see the participation of H.R.H. Princess Somaya bint Al-Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan (RSS), and Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius. It will also bring together high-level female figures, Nobel Laureates, specialists in different fields of science, and professors in prominent universities across the globe.


    The celebration will be an opportunity for the participants to exchange views and ideas on the various issues pertaining to women in science and technology, including the elimination of discrimination and achieving gender parity through science and technology by launching and implementing initiatives and programs and ensuring quality education for women and girls.
    To receive a certificate of participation in the celebration, attendees can register on Zoom via the following link:
    https ://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y96R4IKFTzu4LcCj6SG9NA

    Attendees can access the live streaming of the celebration through ICESCO’s official page on Facebook via the following link:
    https://www.facebook.com/ICESCO.En

    ICESCO to Hold Press Conference to Announce Details of Programs and Activities of Year of Women 2021

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) will hold on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at its headquarters in Rabat, a face-to-face and virtual press conference for journalists and media professionals. The conference will announce the details of ICESCO’s programs and activities during 2021 as part of the celebration of the Year of Women, organized under the high patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

    During the press conference, which will start at 12:00 a.m. UTC (13:00 Rabat time), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, will review the main programs, activities, and objectives of the celebration of the Year of Women 2021. He will also answer questions from the journalists and media professionals participating in the press conference concerning the activities and programs of the year.

    ICESCO kindly invites all journalists and media professionals to register via the link below to take part in the press conference:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fRaubFAvTIyeKRd_Kehi5Q
    The Organization will take all the precautionary measures in accordance with the health protocols applicable in Morocco to ensure the safety of all participants.

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