Category: News

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a high-level ministerial dialogue titled “Space-Enabled Climate Action: Kazakhstan and ICESCO Cooperation for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development,” in partnership with the Kazakhstan Pavilion at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). Attended by ministers and officials from Kazakhstan and Pakistan, heads of space agencies, and international experts, the dialogue explored ways to harness space technologies to strengthen climate resilience and advance food security and sustainable development.

During the dialogue, held on Thursday, 12 November 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye, participants discussed mechanisms for transforming satellite data into practical tools for climate adaptation, water management, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, expressed his appreciation to the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the dialogue at its pavilion. He stressed that the value of space technologies lies in their capacity to help protect lives and strengthen livelihoods by enabling disaster-prone communities to monitor and understand information and act upon it.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the importance of strengthening local knowledge, building the capacities of qualified professionals, and advancing artificial intelligence technologies and satellite-based monitoring. He called for the launch of a pilot project on water management and flood early warning, in partnership between ICESCO, JSC NC Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, and several universities in the Islamic world, to advance smart agriculture and strengthen food security.

Moderated by Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor in ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, the dialogue brought together Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination; Mr. Mansur Oshurbayev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan; Mr. Malik Olzhabekov, Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary-General of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security; Mr. Amanat Umbetbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC NC Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary; and Ms. Amna Munawwar Awan, President of the Centre of Pakistan and International Relations.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that climate commitment depends on the knowledge and skills individuals acquire in schools and universities, as well as on scientific research that responds to community needs. Dr. AlMalik underscored the central role of education and science in addressing the impacts of climate change.

Dr. AlMalik made these remarks during an international seminar titled “From Learning Campuses to Climate Solutions: Advancing Climate Resilience Through Education, Innovation and Partnerships,” organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Friday, 13 November 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye. The seminar was held as part of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), with the participation of H.E. Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Alibek Kuantyrov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan; and a number of senior officials and representatives of relevant international institutions.

At the outset of his address, Dr. AlMalik expressed appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for its cooperation with ICESCO in organizing the event, which provided an opportunity to develop joint projects supporting education systems and strengthening climate resilience. He noted that this cooperation reflects ICESCO’s and Pakistan’s commitment to placing education and science at the heart of climate action.

The ICESCO Director-General stressed the pivotal role of teachers in raising students’ awareness of the adverse effects of climate change on their lives and communities. Dr. AlMalik also highlighted the importance of developing curricula tailored to young people’s needs and building institutional expertise and capacities in climate science.

Following, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to advance climate action, foremost among them the development of the “ICESCO Standards and Guidelines for Greening Curricula in the Islamic World” project in cooperation with the Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The project aims to support countries in integrating sustainability into education policies. He also highlighted the launch of the Global Dashboard for Tracking Progress in Green Education, in partnership with UNESCO.

Dr. AlMalik added that the Organization’s efforts also included launching the “ICESCO Platform for Green Transformation” to strengthen cooperation among government entities, organizations, universities and research centers in clean energy, environmental governance and water management.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by emphasizing the role of universities in preparing young people for the labor market and developing solutions to the challenges facing communities, thereby strengthening climate action.

The seminar featured a presentation on ICESCO’s contribution to climate resilience through education and science, delivered by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector, Supervisor of ICESCO’s Center of Translation and Publishing, and Dr. Kuanysh Yergaliyev, Head of the Science and Environment Sector.

H.E. Mr. Jumhur Hidayat, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at Indonesia’s pavilion during the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31). The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection and support for food security in light of the challenges posed by climate change.

The meeting, held on Friday, 13 November 2026, addressed the ICESCO Conference of Environment Ministers, during which the Indonesian Minister expressed his country’s interest in exploring the possibility of hosting the Conference in 2027 and requested the relevant documents and a hosting proposal.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s appreciation for Indonesia’s role in promoting joint environmental action, commending its initiatives to address climate change and the international acclaim they have received. For his part, Minister Hidayat underscored the importance of cooperation with ICESCO in capacity-building and strengthening the role of youth in environmental protection.

The two sides exchanged views on green schools and the integration of environmental and climate issues into school curricula. Dr. AlMalik also presented ICESCO’s Youth Climate Leaders Initiative, which seeks to empower young people to develop solutions to climate challenges in their communities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), announced the official launch of the ICESCO Standards and Guidelines for Greening School Curricula in the Islamic World, developed with the Cambridge University Press & Assessment to support national efforts to integrate climate knowledge and environmental stewardship into school curricula. The launch took place on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), hosted by Antalya, Türkiye.

The announcement was made on Thursday, 12 November 2026, during a ministerial session titled “Every School a Climate Action Hub: from Green Schools to Greening Curriculum,” organized by ICESCO in cooperation with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education and Science and the University of Cambridge. Attendees included senior ministers and officials, notably Mr. Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan; Ms. Nadira Dzhusupbekova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan; and Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat for future generations but a present reality that is reshaping economies, endangering livelihoods, disrupting education, and putting the futures of millions of children at risk. He said that the transition to a climate-resilient future must be led by education. He added that greener economies begin with changing the way we teach and learn, and called for a shift from merely introducing children to climate change to empowering a whole generation to lead climate action.

The ICESCO Director-General reviewed the Organization’s ongoing efforts to green education, culminating in the launch of the Standards and Guidelines. He announced that ICESCO will launch Green Schools Program in 2027, with its strategic partners, to help Member States transform schools into sustainable, climate-resilient learning environments, and commended Kyrgyzstan’s green school model.

For her part, Ms. Dzhusupbekova highlighted the practical experience of the green school model and Kyrgyzstan’s efforts in this field. The session also featured a presentation of the Standards and Guidelines project by Mr. Waqas Afridi, Education Expert at ICESCO, and representatives of the University of Cambridge, the UN World Food Programme, the Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training, and the Kyrgyz Academy of Education. They outlined the next phases of its development and consultation with Member States and international experts, and discussed the importance of climate-responsive education and school-level sustainability initiatives, including Kyrgyzstan’s green school model.

The session also addressed ways to turn curriculum greening policies into applied learning in classrooms, strengthen teacher capacity, and create sustainable school environments. It concluded with remarks by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience moderated by Ms. Lira Samykbaeva, Deputy Head of the Education Sector.

H.E. Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), at the Uzbekistan Pavilion during the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), held in Antalya, Türkiye. The two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in environmental protection and climate action, and to draw on Uzbekistan’s experience in greening higher education.

Dr. AlMalik affirmed that ICESCO would work to promote Uzbekistan’s Green University and its specialized programs in the fields of environment and climate, as well as support a number of young people from ICESCO Member States in pursuing their studies there. H.E. the Advisor outlined the University’s experience in integrating sustainability into higher education and highlighted the opportunities its programs offer to equip young people with the skills needed to contribute to addressing environmental and climate challenges.

H.E. Mr. Abdukhakimov expressed Uzbekistan’s interest in cooperating with ICESCO to adopt some of the environmental initiatives launched by H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and extend their benefits to the Organization’s Member States. He also emphasized the importance of engaging young people in environmental protection and climate action, noting that the participation of a group of young Uzbek men and women in the Conference would give them an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge into climate and environmental challenges.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed the strong ties between ICESCO and Uzbekistan, noting that the first joint action plan had been completed and that work was underway to finalize the second, which would include projects to be implemented over two years. He stressed the importance of incorporating into the forthcoming plan the initiatives put forward by H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the Transforming Education Summit, particularly those aimed at strengthening cooperation with international organizations and expanding the role of young people in environmental protection and climate action.

The Director-General proposed that ICESCO contribute to the scientific program of the Uzbekistan Pavilion during the 32nd Conference of the Parties (COP32), scheduled to take place in Ethiopia in 2027, by organizing a series of lectures and seminars at the pavilion on the Conference’s objectives and the environmental and climate initiatives launched by H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended the opening of the Leaders Summit held as part of the 31 Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 31) in Antalya, Republic of Türkiye. On the sidelines of the Conference, he also met with ministers from the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The opening remarks were preceded by Turkish folkloric performances highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and climate protection. The remarks began with an address by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, followed by speeches from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, host of the summit.

At the Kingdom of Morocco Pavilion, Dr. AlMalik met with Ms. Charafat Afilal, Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development. He commended the pavilion’s outstanding presentation of the Kingdom’s efforts in energy and sustainable development, as well as its seminar program, to which ICESCO contributed two sessions, including one on smart cities. The Minister affirmed her commitment to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO in renewable energy and addressing climate challenges, and to developing joint initiatives in these areas.

At the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Pavilion, the ICESCO Director-General met with Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, who expressed interest in the Organization’s programs and initiatives and affirmed his commitment to further strengthening the close cooperation between Pakistan and ICESCO across various fields.

At the Pakistan Pavilion, Dr. AlMalik also met with Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. They discussed prospects for cooperation on environmental and climate action, as well as the possibility of Pakistan hosting the ICESCO Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World in 2027.

The Director-General and his accompanying delegation also toured the pavilions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, in addition to the Moroccan and Turkish pavilions.

It is worth noting that ICESCO’s COP31 programme includes more than 50 contributions across Member States’ pavilions and those of several international organizations, along with events held in the conference’s multipurpose halls. ICESCO’s first participation in the Conferences of the Parties with a dedicated pavilion at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, and continued its presence at subsequent sessions. The Organization was granted observer status at the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 31) during COP28 in Dubai 2023.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that the transition to a circular economy has become an economic and development priority given its direct impact on environmental protection. He pointed out that this challenge represents an opportunity for countries of the Global South, as the circular economy reduces waste and pollution, improves resource efficiency, contributes to lowering emissions, and opens up new economic opportunities.

Dr. AlMalik made these remarks during the High-Level Dialogue on Accelerating Climate Action in the Global South through Circular Economy Policies, held on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, by ICESCO, the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Yunus Environment Hub, and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS). The event took place at the Republic of Türkiye Pavilion during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), hosted by Antalya, Türkiye.

The Director-General began his address by thanking the Government of the Republic of Türkiye for hosting the dialogue at its pavilion. He then emphasized that pressure on natural resources is increasing due to prevailing production and consumption patterns, while recycled materials account for only around 6.9% of the total materials input into the global economy, revealing the gap between ambitions and current practices. He added that the success of circular economy policies is measured by the ability to implement them, which requires regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities, as well as facilitating access to financing and strengthening cooperation among governments and academia, and between international organizations and the private sector.

In this regard, he pointed out that ICESCO, through its Science and Environment Sector, supports Member States’ efforts to achieve sustainable development by leveraging scientific and technological advances and promoting innovation. He also explained that the Organization is preparing a technical report on the options available to its Member States for waste management and pollution reduction in accordance with the circular economy approach. The report provides practical guidance to help each country identify the approach best suited to its circumstances, alongside recommendations for addressing existing gaps and strengthening implementation.