Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Albino Jopela, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), and together they discussed prospects for cooperation between the two institutions in the fields of preservation and promotion of heritage and archaeological sites in Africa.

During the meeting, held this Monday, August 26, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the main axes of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, which give particular priority to the preservation, protection and promotion of heritage in the Member States. Dr. AlMalik also stressed that ICESCO has implemented a set of programs, initiatives and projects in the fields of heritage preservation and promotion in the Islamic world, mentioning ICESCO’s recent achievements which include the publication of a study entitled, “Legislative Mechanisms to Combat Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Arab States”. This study, he explained, will be followed by other research focusing on ICESCO Member States in the Asian and African regions.

Likewise, the Director-General stated that ICESCO inscribed 634 historical sites and cultural elements in 45 countries on its heritage lists in the Islamic world, sharing the Organization’s goal to inscribe a total of 1,000 sites and elements by 2025. He further explained that the Organization is committed to supporting its Member States in this area by training heritage professionals in preparing heritage nomination files, and launching initiatives to capitalize on AI technologies in the processes of preserving and promoting archaeological and heritage sites.

For his part, Dr. Jopela commended ICESCO’s pioneering efforts in the fields of heritage preservation and promotion, expressing his keenness to draw on the Organization’s expertise to address the needs of African countries in the field of heritage, and support them in submitting nomination files for the inscription of their archaeological sites and cultural elements on heritage lists.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed the possibility of signing a MoU between ICESCO and AWHF to kick start the cooperation relations and implement future programs in the fields of heritage preservation and promotion.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, Dr. Webber Ndoro, Director of the Center for Heritage in the Islamic World, and Dr. Mahamat Abba Ousman, Expert at the Culture and Communication Sector.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Imad Hamdan, Palestinian Minister of Culture, and together they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation relations in the fields of culture, heritage preservation and promotion of heritage, and training workshop organization for the benefit of heritage professionals.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Monday, August 26, 2024 at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Jamal Shobaki, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Kingdom of Morocco, and his accompanying delegation, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s steadfast and long-standing position in support of the State of Palestine in the fields of education, science and culture, stressing that the Organization has spared no effort to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. He added that ICESCO’s endeavors especially focus on youth, women and children, through implementing programs, projects and initiatives, highlighting key relevant projects implemented over the past period.

Likewise, Dr. AlMalik expressed the Organization’s constant readiness to provide all necessary support to strengthen Palestinian cultural, heritage and educational institutions and other bearers of Palestinian identity, stressing ICESCO’s keenness to address the needs and expectations of the Palestinian relevant authorities in order to implement programs and projects and ensure optimal benefit for Palestinian communities.

For his part, Mr. Hamdan commended ICESCO’s efforts and role in supporting the education, science and culture sectors in Palestine, expressing his eagerness to strengthen cooperation relations in the coming period, especially in light of the celebration of Al-Khalil as the 2026 Culture Capital in the Islamic World.

The meeting discussed proposals for programs and projects to be implemented in the coming period, in the fields of preserving and promoting heritage, training professionals, inaugurating the ICESCO Research Chair in one of the Palestinian universities, and the possibility of sending an ICESCO delegation to prepare a detailed report on the extent of the destruction of Palestinian heritage and archaeological sites as a result of the brutal Israeli aggression.

At the close of the meeting, the Palestinian Minister offered ICESCO Director-General a commemorative shield, in recognition of his efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of the Islamic world.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, Amb. Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. Nidal Abu Zuhri, Head of the Department of Administrative Operations.

The Science and Environment Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Department of Chemistry at the School of Natural Sciences at the National University of Sciences and Technology in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, organized the International Conference on Research Advancements in Chemistry, under the theme: “Chemistry for a Green Future.”

The three-day Conference, which kicked off on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, in Islamabad, saw the participation of more than 600 researchers, doctoral students, and international speakers from various Member States of the Organization. During the opening session, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, emphasized the Conference’s importance in finding comprehensive and sustainable solutions to current challenges in natural sciences, aligning with ICESCO’s vision and objectives.

For her part, Mrs. Razia Ramzan Dossa, Secretary General of the Pakistani National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, highlighted the Pakistani Government’s support for such conferences that strengthen scientific cooperation among the Member States. The opening session also included remarks from several prominent academic figures.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Dr. Sharif held a meeting with Mr. Muhammad Yousuf Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, to discuss the development of joint space sciences programs. The ICESCO official held another meeting with Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan, to discuss the organization of the Sixth Vice-Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World in 2025.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) issued a new study entitled “Legislative Mechanisms to Combat the Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property in Arab States.” This study provides an assessment of the current legal framework for combatting the illegal trafficking of cultural assets in Arab countries and offers an analysis of international experiences and national laws that form a solid legal framework for protecting cultural property. The study aims to strengthen legislative mechanisms in ICESCO Member States in this domain.

The study, developed by ICESCO’s Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, reflects the Organization’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage and strengthening the legal frameworks necessary to counter the growing threats posed by the illicit trafficking of cultural property. It aims to offer practical solutions to enhance the legal and institutional capacities of Arab countries in light of increasing challenges, such as the inadequacy of national legislation, conflicts and wars, and a lack of awareness about the value of this precious heritage.
Additionally, the study seeks to promote coordination and the sharing of best legislative practices among countries, addressing gaps in national laws to establish a solid legal framework that reinforces efforts to protect cultural property and strengthens the capacities of states to face current and future threats.

This study is part of ICESCO’s “Strategy to Combat the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in the Islamic World,” which was approved during the 12th Conference of the Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, held in September 2023 in Doha, Qatar. The Strategy focuses on three main pillars: legislative mechanisms and legal guarantees, operational mechanisms related to maintenance, restoration, and protection, and international cooperation to ensure the recovery of cultural property and the prosecution of offenders.

This publication will be followed by similar studies covering ICESCO Member States in the Asian and African regions, marking the completion of the first pillar of ICESCO’s strategy against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Through these ongoing efforts, ICESCO continues to provide comprehensive support in combatting the threats to cultural property and bolstering the preservation of the identities and civilizational values of the peoples of the Islamic world.

The study is accessible and downloadable via the following link: https://icesco.org/okuc