Category: News update

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon, at the Cabinet Office in Yaounde, and together discussed cooperation between ICESCO and Cameroon in the fields of education, science and culture.

At the beginning of the meeting, which was attended by Mr. Bidoung Kpwatt Ismaël, Minister of Arts and Culture of Cameroon, Dr. AlMalik commended the creativity and good organization of the ceremony that marked the launch of the Celebration of Yaounde as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, expressing his thanks to H.E. President Paul Biya for his patronage of the Celebration and to the Prime Minister for chairing and attending the ceremony. Dr. AlMalik also reaffirmed that ICESCO will work in close cooperation with the Cameroonian authorities to sustain the success of the Celebration which will feature a year-long program of activities and events.

For his part, the Prime Minister welcomed the visit of the Director-General, stressing that Cameroon accords great attention to cooperation with the Organization. He stated that the Cameroonian Government will provide the necessary support to all the activities of the Celebration of Yaounde as Culture Capital in the Islamic World and will ensure the organization of a closing ceremony with the same high levels of organization and creativity.

During the meeting Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations and the Organization’s priority issues, notably building the capacities of women and children, safeguarding heritage, anchoring the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, and promoting Member States’ investment in modern technology to achieve sustainable development.

Likewise, the Director-General talked about the major programs and activities implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the Cameroonian authorities, in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture of Cameroon, noting that ICESCO takes into consideration the priorities of each Member State in designing its programs and activities.

At the close of the meeting, the Director-General presented the Prime Minister with an ICESCO Shield to commemorate the meeting.

The meeting was attended by a number of the Prime Minister’s advisors, the Secretary-General of the Cameroonian National Commission, and Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in the Kingdom of Morocco, and in cooperation with several international partners, held an International Workshop on the role of the “Metaverse” in achieving sustainable development goals, to explore metaverse technologies and their role in achieving sustainable development goals in the fields of health, education, culture, economy and entrepreneurship among youth.

In his speech during the opening of the workshop, which was held on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the headquarters of the Interactive Digital Center of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, highlighted the Organization’s eagerness to raise awareness of various types of modern technologies and their role in promoting sustainable development by developing programs and holding seminars and workshops in the field of technology, innovation and metaverse technology for the benefit of the youth in the Islamic world.

For his part, Dr. Adel Smeda, Expert in the ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, reviewed some of the key aspects of virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, which can be employed to develop the field of education in the future and improve learning methods.

The participants in the workshop, including experts and specialists in the field of modern technology, discussed the role of the metaverse in developing all areas of life. The workshop activities concluded with the graduation ceremony of the first batch of students from the Academy of Innovation in Virtual Reality, affiliated with the Interactive Digital Center.

Mr. El-Mansour Veten, Executive Secretary of the Issoufou Mohamedou Foundation (IMF) in the Republic of Niger, visited the Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, to explore ways of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, headed by His Excellency the former President of Niger, Mohamedou Issoufou.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Ambassador Khaled Fath Al-Rahman, Head of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Ms. Amira El-Fadil, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, received Mr. El-Mansour Veten, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation and Supervisor of the Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.

During the meetings, the parties explored common issues between ICESCO and IMF mainly about peace and social development, capacity-building of women and youth, research and studies in the field of the cultural and civilizational history of Africa and the promotion of the values of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity on the continent.

ICESCO and IMF agreed to prepare a joint action program between the Organization and the Foundation and formulate a cooperation agreement to be signed in the future.

The Human and Social Sciences Sector participated in the 33rd extraordinary session of Crans Montana Forum Africa, held in Brussels, under the theme “The World in the Time of Economic Sovereignty in Africa,” with high-level participation of ministers and officials of international organizations to explore issues related to economic and human development and innovation in Africa.

Ms. Ramata Almami Mbaye, Head of the Sector, represented ICESCO in the Forum, on Friday (July 1, 2022). She participated in the symposium on African women: a dynamic element for community development and food security, which saw the participation of Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, and several high-level figures.

In her intervention, Ms. Ramatta stressed the importance of protecting women and strengthening their leadership capabilities. ICESCO’s vision places women at the forefront of its priorities. It proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Women, under the theme “Women and the Future.”

ICESCO also strives through its leading programmes in the Member States to build human capital and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among women and youth. It launched a project to counter the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic by supporting the entrepreneurial sense among women and youth, which was implemented in partnership with the Alwaleed Philanthropies Foundation in 10 African countries” added Ms. Ramatta.

The General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, held a workshop to publicize the ICESCO-Hamdan Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities and highlight its requirements and eligibility criteria.

The workshop was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, via videoconference from the Meshkat Hall at ICESCO Headquarters, and focused on providing an overview of the partnership program between ICESCO and the Foundation. The workshop also featured presentations on the Meshkat Platform for Educational Excellence Capacities in the field of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, ICESCO-Hamdan Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities: achievements, criteria and prospects, in addition to a video on the Prize and its past editions.

In addition, the workshop featured a video testimony of an institution that won the Prize in a past edition, followed by a discussion where Dr. Ahmad Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, Supervisor of the General Secretariat of the National Commissions and Conferences, answered participants’ questions.

The workshop saw the participation of several representatives of Member States’ National Commissions, and the representatives of associations, bodies and institutions working in the field of developing educational facilities in the Islamic world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) highly welcomes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s announcement to finance a set of development projects in the Republic of Yemen worth $400 million, in addition to providing fuel for power stations at a cost of $200 million.

The Organization praises the contents of the support plan, which includes about 17 projects, and a development program in 6 vital sectors, the most important of which are energy, transport, education, health and building government institutions.

While commending this initiative, ICESCO is pleased to congratulate the wise Saudi leadership and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this generous support that enhances Yemen’s stability and unity.

ICESCO reiterates its readiness to cooperate with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Programme for Yemen (SDRPY) and with the rest of the partners in implementing the contents of this plan, especially in the fields of education, health and all related fields.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Youth of the State of Libya held a meeting to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between the two sides in building youth capacities and training them on leadership for peace and security, during the visit of Dr. Fathallah Al-Zani, Libyan Minister of Youth to ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. Dr. Al-Zani was received by several leaders of the Organization on behalf of Dr. Salim Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), who is on a working mission outside the seat country.

During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday (June 29, 2022) in the presence of Dr. Said Mhamed Al-Dabib, Libya’s permanent delegate to ICESCO, Dr. Al-Zani reviewed the action strategy of the Libyan Ministry of Youth, noting that youth represent 63% of the Libyan population, which entails a huge responsibility for the Ministry.

The Libyan minister expressed the Ministry’s desire to enhance cooperation and build a partnership with ICESCO on capacity building and training on leadership for peace by signing an agreement to implement a number of joint programs and projects for the benefit of Libyan youth.

On their part, ICESCO leaders welcomed the cooperation with the Libyan Ministry of Youth and stressed that the Organization attaches great importance to building the capacities of youth in the Member States to play their role in achieving sustainable development in their countries.
At the close of the meeting, the two sides agreed to hold meetings between ICESCO and the Libyan Ministry of Youth at the level of experts to agree on cooperation programs and develop an action plan for their implementation.

On the ICESCO side, the meeting was attended by Mrs. Amira El-Fadil, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the DG for Partnerships and International Cooperation, supervisor of the Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and Mr. Mohammed Hedi Shili, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards Department.