Category: News

The Saudi Cabinet, held in Riyadh on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, and chaired by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomed the contents of the Jeddah Declaration, issued by the 13th Conference of Culture Ministers in the Islamic World, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi Ministry of Culture on 12-13 February 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In a press release, the Cabinet welcomed the Declaration’s shared vision for leveraging culture to drive social and economic progress, safeguard Islamic heritage, and foster collaborative efforts to address global challenges.

The Jeddah Declaration emphasized the role of culture as a key pillar in building societies and consolidating national identities, a driver of economic and social growth, and an effective means of addressing many current crises. It stressed the importance of managing and preserving cultural assets against the adverse effects of climate change and ensuring their sustainability, as well as the need to enable cultural institutions to play a vital role in this regard. The Declaration also called for intensifying efforts to protect the endangered heritage of the Islamic world, especially in the State of Palestine, considering heritage protection a major responsibility of the entire international community.

It is noteworthy that the Cabinet held its session on the occasion of Foundation Day, observed on February 22 each year, to celebrate the history of the Saudi State, its three-century-long civilization, and its journey of progress and development.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), and his accompanying delegation. The meeting took place as part of the International Conference on the Status of the Arabic Language in the World and aimed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between the two entities and develop joint initiatives to support the spread of Arabic while enhancing its regional and international presence in scientific, educational, and cultural fields.

Discussions focused on several key issues, including the development of Arabic language curricula to align with modern technological and knowledge advancements, as well as the enhancement of programs targeting non-Arabic speakers to expand the language’s global reach.

Dr. AlMalik emphasized that promoting the Arabic language is an integral part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Islamic world. He highlighted that the partnership between ICESCO and the Academy would provide innovative solutions to reinforce Arabic’s usage across various sectors.

For his part, Dr. Al-Washmi affirmed the Academy’s commitment to collaborating closely with ICESCO in implementing high-impact projects that support the Arabic language and highlight its civilizational role. He praised ICESCO’s strategic vision, which has significantly contributed to strengthening Arabic’s global presence. Additionally, he referenced a joint project between the two institutions to launch an international report on the status of Arabic in 30 countries across five continents, with contributions from specialized researchers, aiming to bolster the language’s regional and global standing.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Washmi outlined the Academy’s key focus areas, including language planning and policy, educational and cultural linguistic programs, and computational linguistics.

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik accompanied Dr. Al-Washmi and his delegation to ICESCO’s “Mishkat” Center, where they were introduced to the Organization’s virtual training courses, conducted by experts and accessed by learners from various countries. They also received a briefing on a newly launched Arabic language course for non-Arabic speakers.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) launched a report on “The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World,” which aims to achieve a qualitative leap in the teaching of Arabic as a second language at the global level by developing policies and strategies that contribute to improving the quality of education, analyzing the current Status of Arabic language education centers, promoting their spread, and overcoming the challenges they face. This report is the first of its kind to study the reality of Arabic language education in non-Arabic-speaking countries. It features a comprehensive analysis of more than 300 educational institutions in 30 countries.

The report was launched on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, during the International Conference on the Status of Arabic Language Education in the World, held by ICESCO at its headquarters in Rabat, in partnership with KSGAAL. The conference witnessed a high-level presence of experts and specialists in teaching Arabic as a second language, as well as representatives of regional and international language institutions. The conference reviewed and discussed the contents of the report, the future of Arabic education and teaching standards, the development of educational programs, and the strengthening of coordination between Arabic teaching institutions around the world.

The report includes detailed data on educational institutions, including the numbers of faculty members, learners, curricula, teaching mechanisms, techniques used, and methods of evaluation, in addition to analyzing the professional value of graduates. The report also monitors the most prominent challenges facing the teaching of the Arabic language and devises practical solutions to develop educational policies and enhance coordination between the relevant bodies.

In this regard, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language and its vision in establishing itself as a global leader in advancing the Arabic language. Dr. AlMalik highlighted KSGAAL’s collaboration with ICESCO in producing The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World, emphasizing its role in strengthening Arabic’s global standing as a vital medium of communication that showcases Arab culture and Islamic civilization and reflects a distinctive and methodical approach to addressing Arabic language issues.

For his part, Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the Secretary-General of the King Salman Academy for the Arabic Language, pointed out that KSGAAL enjoys the continuous support of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al-Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of KSGAAL’s Board of Trustees. This support, he noted, strengthens the implementation of diverse linguistic initiatives that promote the Arabic language locally and globally. Dr. Al-Washmi further emphasized that the report represents a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive knowledge base on Arabic language education, serving as a key reference for policymakers and academic institutions in developing curricula and educational programs.

The publication of The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World report is part of ICESCO and KSGAAL’s efforts aimed at supporting Arabic language learning, enhancing its global presence, and contributing to the development of its education strategies in line with international best practices.

As part of the Digital Space Human Rights Strategy project, the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a training workshop on February 13–14, 2025, focused on ICESCO’s project management mechanisms. The workshop was held for students of the Master’s Program in Human Rights and Public Policies at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra.

On the first day, the workshop reviewed ICESCO’s major projects and provided hands-on training on project management and governance mechanisms. The sessions aimed to enhance students’ capacities in designing and managing projects related to human rights, international organizations, and public policies.

The second day focused on cybercrime and digital transformation in the age of artificial intelligence. The sessions were overseen by the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation and the Council of Europe Office in Morocco. The day included a detailed presentation on the Budapest Cybercrime Convention and Morocco’s efforts to implement its provisions effectively.

The workshop also featured specialized presentations. Youssef Bentaleb, President of the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation, provided an overview of the challenges of cybercrime. Dr. Houssein Waabida, Research Professor at Ibn Tofail University, delivered a presentation on the latest applications of artificial intelligence, highlighting tools that contribute to the development of academic research in the field.

The workshop was part of the celebration of Safer Internet Day, held under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform. The event saw the participation of ICESCO staff and the presence of Dr. Ahmed Ajoun, Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences at Ibn Tofail University, along with professors overseeing the Master’s Program in Human Rights and Public Policy.

The Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 12-13 February 2025, marked the release of the first issue of ICESCO’s Cultural Journal.

The new journal, published by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), features various articles on cultural, educational and literary topics, shedding light on contemporary issues relevant to the cultural scene in the Islamic world.

The first issue of the Journal includes interviews with a number of prominent figures in the fields of culture, education and science, including Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, who stressed that the Organization has become a hub of expertise for all intellectuals and creators in the Islamic world. The issue also includes interviews with the Saudi critic and scholar, Dr. Abdullah al-Ghathami, and with Dr. Khalid Samadi, Moroccan educational expert and former Moroccan Secretary of State to the Minister of Education for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

ICESCO’s Cultural Journal is set to have a major role in promoting cultural and educational dialogue in the Islamic world and a positive impact on the cultural and educational scene in the region. It will be available electronically for all readers, followers, and specialists.

As part of its commitment to youth empowerment, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is hosting the 3rd Youth Knowledge Forum on February 20-21, 2025, at its headquarters in Rabat, under the theme “Knowledge is the Future.”

The forum aims to support young people and foster creativity and innovation in knowledge transfer, dissemination, and localization worldwide. It provides an interactive space for youth to connect with experts, expand their knowledge, and collaborate with peers from across the globe.

The event will address key issues such as promoting economic recovery through knowledge and skills, the importance of building networks and partnerships, and the development of a comprehensive knowledge ecosystem. Experts will examine how artificial intelligence and digital transformation are reshaping education, labor, and innovation systems, as well as the challenges and opportunities that come with these changes. Discussions will focus on bridging educational gaps, equipping youth with future-ready skills, strengthening regional and international cooperation, and enabling young leaders to harness knowledge in innovative ways. The goal is to foster social cohesion, support entrepreneurship, and drive sustainable development.

Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, stated that hosting this international forum at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat marks the culmination of ICESCO’s Year of Youth, celebrated under the generous patronage of H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The initiative featured numerous activities benefiting young people in the Islamic world, particularly in the fields of technology, creativity, and innovation, while also promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and civilizational dialogue.

The ICESCO Director-General emphasized that the Organization prioritizes youth, recognizing their essential role in shaping a prosperous future and advancing sustainable development. He stressed that ICESCO, through its various initiatives and programs, aims to build young people’s capacities in knowledge and technology, equipping them with the necessary skills for future professions and enabling them to keep pace with rapid global developments.

Dr. Jamal bin Huwaireb, Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, affirmed that the Knowledge Youth Forum will continue its mission of empowering youth and enhancing their role in shaping the future of knowledge globally. He noted that this year’s edition serves as a platform for bringing together young creative talents, fostering innovation, and facilitating knowledge transfer to support the development of knowledge-based societies.

“The active participation of young people from the Muslim world adds a strategic dimension to the Forum, as their experiences reflect the power of knowledge in addressing challenges and driving positive change. The Foundation is committed to strengthening regional and international cooperation to activate the role of young leaders and establish a knowledge system that aligns with their ambitions while contributing to sustainable development across all sectors,” he added.

Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor and Director of the UNDP Knowledge Project, emphasized that the Youth Knowledge Forum aligns with a shared vision of empowering youth to be at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development.

“The Youth Knowledge Forum, themed ‘Knowledge is the Future,’ embodies our vision of equipping youth to lead in innovation and sustainable development by providing a dialogue platform that brings together young people, decision-makers, and experts to promote knowledge exchange and foster a society built on innovation and cooperation. Discussions on the future of knowledge in light of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, as well as the role of knowledge in youth empowerment, will contribute to finding sustainable solutions to future challenges. The Knowledge Project is committed to providing tools and partnerships that enable young people to harness their potential and make a tangible, positive impact on their communities,” he stated.

Beyond its discussions, the two-day forum will equip young participants with the tools and networks needed to transform their ideas into real-world solutions, positioning knowledge as a key driver of sustainable development. By creating a dynamic environment that supports the production, exchange, and application of knowledge, the event aims to generate lasting, meaningful impact.