The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sports as a tool for empowerment, peace, and inclusion during its participation in the Third African Forum on Gender Equality in Sports, held in Bujumbura, Republic of Burundi, in the presence of His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye and First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye.
Organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ACNOA), in cooperation with the Burundi National Olympic Committee (CNO) and with support from the Government of Burundi, the event brought together ministers, policymakers, and prominent figures from the sports world to discuss concrete mechanisms for advancing gender balance and empowering women and girls through sports participation.
ICESCO was represented at the forum by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Director of Social and Human Sciences Sector, who delivered a speech during the session titled “Sport and Social Inclusion: Sport as a Driver of Peace, Inclusion and Resilience for Women.” She outlined ICESCO’s strategic approach to integrating sports into its programs as a means of promoting gender equality, strengthening social cohesion, and contributing to sustainable development across Member States.
Ms. Mbaye underlined that ICESCO’s “Sport for Social Change” initiative places women and youth at the heart of action by enhancing leadership opportunities, encouraging girls’ participation in sports, and supporting the development of inclusive and ethical sports policies. She presented several of the Organization’s innovative projects, including sports camps that support the rehabilitation and reintegration of vulnerable children and youth, as well as the ICESCO Marathon, which reflects the Organization’s belief in sports as a platform for solidarity and economic inclusion.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is participating in the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025, under the theme “A Decade of Acceleration and Delivery.” The Conference brings together world leaders, policymakers, private-sector representatives, and global stakeholders to examine priority measures for addressing climate change, present new national plans for climate action, and follow up on progress made in implementing the financial commitments announced at COP29.
ICESCO’s delegation to COP30 includes Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Science and Environment Sector; Dr. Fahman Fathurrahman, Expert at the same sector; and Ms. Manuela Nicoletti, external expert at the Culture and Communication Sector. Throughout the Conference, the delegation will present ICESCO’s methodology for addressing climate challenges through education, scientific research, and cultural engagement, in addition to participating in meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation with international partners.
As part of its program of activities at the Conference, ICESCO is organizing eight side events in cooperation with various partners in the Blue Zone, the area designated for UN-accredited negotiations and high-level events. These sessions will address key topics such as food systems and sustainable agriculture, climate finance, innovative green technologies, ecosystem- and nature-based solutions, and urban resilience. The activities will also feature ICESCO initiatives that support Member States in building sustainable and adaptable societies.
One of the main dialogues will include a recorded address by ICESCO Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, in which he will outline the Organization’s priorities in climate action and the role of education, science, and culture in building resilient communities.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, along with Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Regional Office of ICESCO in the United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, 13 November 2025. The Office is located in the University City of Sharjah.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, together with the ICESCO Director-General, unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the official inauguration of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Sharjah, which will provide the Organization with the necessary resources to carry out its tasks in its areas of action through educational, scientific, and cultural activities, and by providing the best technical, scientific, and practical services and institutional support to Member States. Sharjah was chosen for its distinguished cultural status and its hosting of prominent institutions such as museums and research centers, in addition to its geographical location, which facilitates access to the Gulf countries, the Middle East, and North Africa.
On this occasion, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah wrote in the visitors’ book: “This morning, we are delighted to meet our partners in science and knowledge. Hands have been extended and minds have been set on sincere and honest work, extending first to humanity and then to minds that Allah has blessed with sincere faith and work for the advancement of Islam. Let us always be together and sincere in our giving.”
Dr. AlMalik also delivered a speech, commending the efforts of the Emirate of Sharjah and its Ruler in supporting cultural and scientific organizations, stressing that the opening of the ICESCO Regional Office in the Emirate was made possible thanks to the insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi in making culture a living project vibrant with knowledge and creativity, describing Sharjah, under its wise leadership, as having always believed that the real investment is in people, and that building minds is the best way to shape the future.
Dr. AlMalik announced that ICESCO is proud to award the title of “Guardian of Knowledge” to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in recognition of his decades-long efforts, during which he has been a symbol of knowledge, an icon of creativity, and a supporter of creators and intellectuals. This title is in recognition of his steadfast efforts in serving culture, supporting science, nurturing literature and arts, and consolidating the values of identity, openness, and wisdom.
In his address, the Director-General of the Organization discussed the functions of the new headquarters, which will serve as a platform for promoting cultural communication and a center for implementing programs and initiatives that serve humanity, celebrate the word, the idea, the painting, and the image, and affirm Sharjah’s status as a beacon of knowledge and cultural influence.
For his part, Salem Omar Salem, Director of the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, emphasized that the Office will be a beacon that guides, evaluates, and provides solutions to decision-makers and cultural leaders, bringing together minds in an environment that ignites thought and inspires creativity. He emphasized the Regional Office’s commitment to harnessing knowledge to serve humanity, supporting education and scientific research, embracing digital culture, and promoting sustainable development.
The ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah was built on the ground floor and includes a comprehensive set of administrative, technical, and service departments. It covers an area of more than 3,000 square meters within a total land area of more than 42,000 square meters. The building can accommodate 95 employees and is equipped to receive 245 visitors in its various facilities, such as the theater, training hall, and reception hall, bringing the total capacity for employees and visitors to 340.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, in the international forum organized by the Catholic Church in Rabat on interfaith dialogue and education. The event brought together a distinguished group of religious and educational figures, as well as regional and international experts in intercultural dialogue.
ICESCO was represented by Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, who presented the Organization’s vision for strengthening cooperation within the shared civilizational and religious space. He highlighted a range of educational approaches to integrate the values of understanding and mutual respect into school environments. He also reviewed key experiences from ICESCO Member States in curriculum development, teacher training, and school life activities that promote a culture of dialogue.
Following the forum, the Catholic delegation visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, hosted at ICESCO Headquarters. They were received by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Organization, who outlined ICESCO’s core efforts to promote civilizational dialogue. He also presented the Organization’s field initiatives and institutional partnerships in the area of interfaith dialogue, as well as its educational studies and reports that foster the values of coexistence and counter hate speech.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Fair, during which the guests expressed their appreciation for the museum’s scholarly approach and its presentation of models of civilizational dialogue.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. Essam Al-Rubaian, President of the Civil Service Bureau of the State of Kuwait, accompanied by Counselor Saud Almutairi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The meeting discussed prospects for enhancing cooperation between ICESCO and the State of Kuwait in the fields of education, science, culture, media, and communication, as well as building practical partnerships that promote the exchange of expertise and jointly prioritized programs.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Benarafa welcomed the Kuwaiti delegation and reaffirmed the strength and vitality of the ties between ICESCO and Kuwait. He presented an overview of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, as well as the programs, projects, and activities it implements for the benefit of its Member States, particularly in advancing educational systems, modernizing curricula, and empowering women and youth and preparing them with the skills needed for future professions.
Dr. Benarafa also highlighted ICESCO’s initiatives to promote the values of coexistence, peace, and intercultural dialogue, encourage investment in technology, innovation, and AI applications, foster a culture of foresight, and enhance the global standing of the Arabic language through innovative initiatives and specialized academic and media partnerships.
For his part, Dr. Essam Al-Rubaian commended ICESCO’s leading role in advancing human development and knowledge, and in implementing practical projects that promote a culture of peace. He also praised ICESCO’s institutional progress and the wealth of expertise it has accumulated across its specialized centers and sectors. Dr. Al-Rubaian reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO through impactful joint programs in capacity building, digital transformation in education, and supporting initiatives that promote the Arabic language.
Following the meeting, Dr. Benarafa accompanied the Kuwaiti delegation on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization housed at ICESCO’s headquarters. The delegation was briefed on the exhibition’s educational and technological pavilions. They also visited ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, where they were introduced to its specialized units, including the newly established studio designed to enhance the production of digital content in support of the Organization’s mission.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the ICESCO Director-General; Dr. Barakat Al-Wegyan, Director of the Communication Department; and Mr. Mohammad Alahmad, Assistant Undersecretary at Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated, via video conference, in the 2025 International Forum for Quality organized by the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE), on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, on the occasion of World Quality Day. The event was held under the theme “Quality: Thinking Differently to Achieve Vision and Create Impact.”
Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, delivered an address titled “Quality of Life and Institutional Performance.” In her presentation, she outlined ICESCO’s vision to broaden the concept of quality to include human empowerment and creativity as key drivers of institutional excellence and sustainable development. She underlined that quality of life is no longer limited to material well-being but rather involves an environment that promotes creativity and entrepreneurship, particularly among youth and women.
Dr. Mabrouk also highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to promote the creative economy through its programs aimed at supporting innovation and empowering young people and women in cultural and knowledge-based fields, considering this a cornerstone for building a sustainable knowledge-based economy.
In her address, Dr. Mabrouk called for the development of a shared reference framework among Islamic world countries to measure the quality of creative life and its institutional impact. She also advocated enhanced cooperation among regional and international organizations to exchange expertise and disseminate best practices in the fields of innovation and quality.
The Forum aimed to foster a culture of quality within educational systems, promote the exchange of experiences and successful models, build capacities in performance measurement and continuous improvement, and align standards with the requirements of digital transformation, thereby enhancing innovation and improving the efficiency of educational institutions in participating countries.
The third phase of the program was launched on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at Al-Farabi National University in Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan. The program is implemented by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, in cooperation with ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku.
During the opening session, speakers commended the strategic cooperation between ICESCO, the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, and academic institutions in Central Asian countries to promote the Arabic language and support its teaching programs and curricula. They emphasized the importance of this initiative in strengthening cultural and commercial ties between these countries and the Arab world. A broad meeting was also held on the sidelines of the session to explore future cooperation and the sustainability prospects of these distinguished programs.
The four-day program in Kazakhstan is led by Dr. Anas Hussam Saeed Al-Nuaimi, expert at the Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, and local expert Ilias Kadir. The two experts will present a comprehensive curriculum for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, and equip participants with modern methods, techniques, and digital resources to enhance the effectiveness of Arabic language teaching in non-Arabic-speaking environments.
The opening session was attended by Prof. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Turki al-Maliki, representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kazakhstan; Abdulaziz Almagushi, Deputy Director-General of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation; Dr. Suleiman al-Omari, Head of Operations at the Foundation; Mr. Bakbergen Koishibayev, the Deputy Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; along with a number of deans, researchers, and academic and educational figures.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen joint efforts in safeguarding cultural heritage across ICESCO Member States. The MoU was signed on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at ICESCO headquarters, by ICESCO Director-General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, and the Chair of the ALIPH Foundation Board, Ms. Bariza Khiari.
The MoU provides for strengthening institutional partnership with the aim of implementing a number of projects and initiatives geared towards reducing the number of properties within the Islamic world inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. It also provides for promoting cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection, particularly in regions affected by conflicts and climate change.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik stated that the MoU reflects ICESCO’s commitment to strengthening international efforts to protect cultural heritage in the Islamic world, especially in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters and climate change. He added that cooperating with ALIPH Foundation opens up new prospects to support Member States in building their capacities and implementing field projects with sustainable impact.
For her part, Ms. Bariza Khiari expressed her appreciation for partnership with ICESCO, noting that the Foundation looks forward to pooling efforts and exchanging expertise in order to protect heritage that faces unprecedented challenges due to conflict and climate change. She added that heritage protection does not only mean protecting monuments and landmarks but also safeguarding memory and identity.
Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will develop joint practical projects to assess and restore sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, share expertise and best practices, conduct field-training programs to build local capacities active in heritage management and conservation, and enhance cooperation in cultural heritage protection.
The agreement also provides for the creation of a joint working group to oversee the implementation of agreed projects and monitor the progress of the joint programs.
The Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, received the Director-General of the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO), Dr. Nasser Al-Hattlan Al-Qahtani, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat.
During the Meeting, the two sides explored potential areas of mutual cooperation between their organizations across several shared fields, including administrative development, intellectual property, and the preservation of cultural heritage. They also discussed opportunities for exchanging expertise and implementing joint programs that would contribute to achieving their shared goals and serving their Member States.
For his part, Dr. Salim AlMalik emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and ARADO, welcoming the opening of new horizons for coordination in distinctive projects and initiatives that serve the Member States and promote cultural and administrative development in the Islamic world.
At the close of the meeting, both parties agreed to enhance future partnership and cooperation in various areas that help foster sustainable development and advance administrative, cultural, and knowledge transformation across the Islamic world.
It is worth noting that ICESCO and ARADO are currently co-organizing the Fourth International Forum on Cultural Heritage Management, held under the theme “Manuscript Heritage in Light of Legal Frameworks, Preservation, and Digital Transformation.” The forum is taking place at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat from 11 to 13 November 2025, with the participation of a distinguished group of experts, researchers, and specialists in heritage, manuscripts, and Arabic calligraphy.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO), is organizing the Fourth Forum on Cultural Heritage Management, under the theme “Manuscript Heritage in Light of Legal Frameworks, Preservation, and Digital Transformation,” from 11 to 13 November 2025. The event, bringing together a distinguished group of experts and specialists in calligraphy, manuscripts, and law, aims to highlight institutional and international efforts in legislation, conservation, and digitization to safeguard intellectual manuscript heritage.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, indicated that the Organization has accumulated significant expertise in manuscript preservation through training workshops held in several Member States and the establishment of the Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts, which seeks to raise awareness of heritage-related issues. He also pointed to field initiatives aimed at restoring manuscripts in Timbuktu, Chinguetti, and Aleppo.
In the same vein, Dr. AlMalik stressed that honoring manuscripts requires thorough reading, drawing inspiration from their values, and protecting them from damage. He underlined the importance of employing modern technologies for physical preservation, developing intelligent character recognition, utilizing spectral imaging and its analyses, and leveraging large databases to publicize this heritage.
For his part, Dr. Nasser Al-Hatlan Al-Qahtani, Director-General of ARADO, highlighted the importance of institutional partnerships in capacity building and developing legal frameworks to protect manuscripts. He called for aligning national legislations with international standards, enhancing cooperation between libraries and archives, and investing in digitization infrastructure and capacity development.
The forum’s program includes four scientific sessions addressing manuscript protection and the enforcement of legislations, analysis of the foundations and content of Arab laws on manuscripts, review of preservation and conservation experiences in libraries and centers, and discussions on digital transformation, heritage preservation, and manuscript sustainability in the age of AI.
The forum’s deliberations are expected to yield practical recommendations and pathways for technical and financial cooperation to support Member States’ efforts in manuscript conservation, facilitate their digital accessibility for researchers and the public, and consolidate their importance in cultural and civilizational memory.
