Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a high-level delegation from the International Baccalaureate (IB) on 9 September 2026, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, to discuss the latest developments in their joint project on the “Development of the First ICESCO School Teachers and School Leaders Standards and Practice Instrument for the Islamic World.”
The International Baccalaureate delegation included Dr. Donna Hurrle, Senior Learning Architect; Ms. Kiri Stevenson, Senior Education Systems Solutions Manager at the IB’s office in the United Kingdom; and Ms. Issota Crisafulli, Senior Operations Manager Education Systems Solutions at the United Kingdom Office.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik emphasized that developing an assessment instrument is an important step toward translating the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations into tangible impact. The Project aims to build the capacities of teachers and educators in educational institutions across Member States in areas including enhancing the quality of education, future skills, and modern technologies. He underscored that the Project will bring real added value to education systems in the Islamic world and beyond.
For its part, the delegation praised the strong partnership between the two organizations and invited Dr. AlMalik to participate in the IB Global Conference, scheduled to be held in Lyon, France, in October 2026.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint technical team from ICESCO and IB delivered a presentation on the scope and methodology of the Project as well as the meta-analysis of current international and national professional standards. The presentation also covered the findings of the surveys, mechanisms for developing and validating the assessment instrument, and its role in providing a reference framework to support countries in the Islamic world in strengthening the capacities of teachers and school leaders to adapt to local educational needs.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of a joint technical workshop on the Project, was attended by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector and Director of the Translation and Publication Center at ICESCO, and Dr. Waqas Afridi, Expert at the Education Sector.
Member States reaffirm commitment to paying their financial contributions at the earliest possible date in support of ICESCO’s financial sustainability
At the conclusion of its 4th extraordinary session, the General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) adopted several reports, resolutions and measures aimed at strengthening the Organization’s financial sustainability, ensuring its ability to meet its obligations and continue implementing its programs and activities efficiently, in response to the aspirations of its Member States, while safeguarding its financial independence.
The session, held in person at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat and via videoconference on Thursday, 10 September 2026, brought together 40 Member States, represented at a high ministerial level, as well as ambassadors and secretaries-general of national commissions.
The resolutions adopted included the approval of the Directorate General’s report on urgent financial and administrative measures, as well as the endorsement of the temporary measures set out in the Emergency Plan for the Sustainability of the Organization, foremost among which is the settlement of Member States’ contributions and arrears. The General Conference also mandated the ICESCO Directorate General to implement the resolutions adopted at the extraordinary session and follow up on their implementation.
In this context, a number of Member States announced their commitment to paying their financial contributions and outstanding payments, in full or in part, at the earliest possible date. The General Conference also called on the remaining Member States to fulfill their obligations and settle their arrears, thereby supporting the Organization’s stability and ensuring the continuity of its development and knowledge programs.
The session opened with an address by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, and Chair of the 15th session of the ICESCO General Conference. He stressed that the Organization had built up significant institutional and knowledge capital and had become an active partner in the fields of education, science, culture and innovation. He further underscored that institutions are measured by their ability to achieve sustainability, explaining that the financial challenge is not merely a matter of figures, but that its impact extends to ensuring that programs and initiatives reach students, researchers, innovators and institutions across Member States.
For his part, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), affirmed that the Emergency Plan for the Sustainability of the Organization represents a political commitment and a decisive orientation on the part of Member States to safeguard the future of its civilizational mission. He explained that the continuation of the Organization’s projects in its fields of competence embodies a collective responsibility towards the peoples of the Islamic world.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, noted that the exceptional circumstances facing international institutions and organizations have had repercussions on the Organization’s work, making it imperative to expedite the implementation of the measures adopted to ensure the continuity of its performance. He reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to pursuing its mission without interruption by consolidating a quality-driven approach and expanding its network of partnerships.
Dr. AlMalik also noted that the Organization is working to diversify its funding sources, including through the Development Endowment (Waqf) Project, with a view to establishing a sustainable financial arm that supports its programs and initiatives and enhances its ability to respond to the needs of its Member States. He stressed that the regular payment of Member States’ contributions remains a key pillar of financial sustainability.
In his address, Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco, reiterated Morocco’s full support for ICESCO and its commitment to supporting the Organization in pursuing its mission and implementing its programs and projects.
The 4th Extraordinary Session of the ICESCO General Conference concluded with an address by Dr. Konsowa. He stressed that the Organization’s strength lies in the cohesion of its Member States around it and in their ability to translate shared responsibility into practical decisions that preserve its stability and advance its mission. He noted that the agreements reached would constitute an important step towards strengthening ICESCO’s sustainability and consolidating its capacity to continue its development, knowledge and civilizational role in serving the countries of the Islamic world.
The Forum Utilized Digital-Twin Technology in an Unprecedented Experience at the Level of International Organizations
The live broadcast of the 5th Youth Knowledge Forum, streamed via the official page of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), recorded 9.1 million views, while the number of in-person participants reached 5,500 young men and women across Rabat, the main venue for the Forum’s sessions; ICESCO’s regional offices in Sharjah and Baku; the Culture and Science City in Cairo; and Kazan Federal University in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. This marked the first practical application of digital-twin technology in conferences and seminars at the level of international organizations.
The Forum, held on 7-8 September 2026, in partnership between ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), featured specialized discussions, youth experience-sharing presentations, and creative activities, providing an opportunity for the exchange of expertise on addressing crises and transforming their challenges into opportunities for development.
This edition, held under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability,” was distinguished by the use of digital-twin technology, with the Kingdom of Morocco serving as the main host hub. The Forum’s sessions and workshops were linked to centers in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, enabling young people and experts to interact in real time and exchange perspectives and experiences across five locations.
The Forum featured five discussion sessions addressing issues of health and biosecurity; social and economic crises; reputation and communication; climate and the environment; and cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, a session titled “Knowledge Studio” explored the entertainment industry, bringing together Moroccan directors, actors, and screenwriters.
The events concluded with the distribution of three iPads to three participants and the awarding of training and professional opportunities to seven winners, providing access to more than 13,000 online learning pathways. ICESCO also presented two additional iPads to two winning participants with disabilities, in support of their digital inclusion and to facilitate their access to learning and knowledge opportunities.
The 5th edition of the Knowledge Youth Forum, held on 7-8 September 2026 at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), featured an international discussion session titled “Your Career in a Changing World.” The session explored the rapid transformations taking place in the labor market, the skills required for the jobs of the future, and ways to enhance youth professional integration, with the participation of a group of senior officials, experts and leaders from ICESCO.
In his remarks during the session, held on the first day of the Forum, Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Aide to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, called for placing young people at the heart of the policies of national and international institutions and equip them with the tools and opportunities that enable them to demonstrate their potential and actively contribute to the development of their societies.
For his part, Mr. Mohammed Nasser, Director of the Human Capital Department at ICESCO, emphasized that preparing young people for the requirements of the labor market calls for building their capacities. He also called on institutions to develop recruitment systems capable of identifying and attracting talent.
Mr. Sarjoh Kamara, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education of the Republic of Sierra Leone, reviewed his country’s experience, which focuses on developing technical education and keeping pace with technological transformation. For her part, Ms. Chiraz El Fassi, General Delegate of Wallonia-Brussels to the Kingdom of Morocco, emphasized that the ability to learn and adapt has become one of the most important pillars of professional success. She also called for the continuous upgrading of young people’s skills in light of rapid technological developments.
Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor and Project Manager of the Knowledge Project at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), addressed the challenges hindering young people’s access to employment opportunities, stressing that preparing them for the jobs of the future requires redesigning education and training systems and shifting the focus from qualifications to skills development.
The session, moderated by Mr. Murad Aliyev, expert in the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO, concluded with an interactive discussion with the participating young people, focusing on pathways to professional qualification, the skills required as a result of digital transformation, and the role of educational institutions and the private sector in providing more inclusive and sustainable employment opportunities.
It should be noted that the 5th edition of the Knowledge Youth Forum was held under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability,” in partnership between ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and the United Nations Development Programme.
A delegation from Oman’s National Records and Archives Authority, headed by Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Dhuhayani, Chairman of the Authority, visited the Sultan Qaboos Library at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
The delegation was received by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, who expressed the Organization’s high regard for its strategic partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, noting that it has resulted in pioneering programs and initiatives, including the inauguration of the Sultan Qaboos Library at ICESCO’s headquarters last April, with the generous support of the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. AlMalik accompanied the delegation on a tour of the Library, during which they were briefed in detail on its facilities and specialized knowledge collections, as well as the advanced digital services it offers.
The ICESCO Director-General emphasized that the Library constitutes a distinguished knowledge hub. In its first phase, it houses more than 6,000 print titles, complemented by a digital offering that provides access to nearly 200,000 works through ICESCO’s digital platform. The Library also houses several rare documentary treasures, including a replica of the Holy Quran transcribed in the hand of Ibn al-Bawwab.
For his part, Dr. Al-Dhuhayani commended the Library’s modern facilities and its wealth of knowledge and cultural publications, expressing the Authority’s interest in pursuing cooperation with ICESCO in areas of shared interest.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of the Authority supporting the Library by providing it with national publications and manuscripts.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Maan Al Hafiz, General Supervisor of the Geneva Islamic Cultural Foundation and representative of the Muslim World League to the United Nations in Geneva, to discuss prospects for cooperation between the two sides and ways to build an institutional partnership that serves issues of mutual interest.
The meeting, held on Monday, 7 September 2026, reviewed proposed areas of cooperation, particularly in education, culture, intercultural dialogue, and peacebuilding, as well as the exchange of expertise, participation in seminars, forums, and programs, and the launch of joint initiatives that promote coexistence and mutual understanding and address current challenges.
Dr. AlMalik affirmed ICESCO’s willingness to support the Geneva Islamic Cultural Foundation with its expertise and capabilities, and provide access to the Organization’s experts and competencies, as well as to exchange experiences and best practices, contributing to expanding the impact of joint programs and initiatives.
He noted that Geneva’s position as a hub for international organizations and institutions offers promising opportunities to develop high-quality initiatives with an international dimension and promote the values of dialogue and peace.
For his part, Dr. Maan Al Hafiz outlined the Foundation’s vision, mission, and objectives, as well as its current programs and projects and future aspirations, emphasizing the importance of drawing on ICESCO’s expertise and standing in the fields of education, culture, and dialogue to develop the Foundation’s programs and expand its impact.
The two officials agreed on the importance of establishing cooperation within a sustainable institutional framework and identifying priority areas and programs for the coming phase, in a manner that supports their shared mission and enhances the effectiveness of their initiatives.
At the close of the meeting, Dr. Maan Al Hafiz expressed his appreciation for ICESCO’s efforts and initiatives in serving its Member States, as well as its contributions to promoting intercultural dialogue and fostering a culture of peace, openness, and communication among peoples and cultures.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Nayef bin Abdullah Al-Ajhar, Senior Manager of Saudia Airlines for Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, at his office at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and prospects for building an institutional partnership between ICESCO and Saudia Airlines.
The meeting, held on Monday, 7 September 2026, addressed opportunities for Saudia Airlines to participate in a number of ICESCO conferences, forums and international events, as well as opportunities to support and sponsor the initiatives and programs implemented by the Organization, particularly those that align with the company’s social responsibility priorities. The two sides also discussed the possibility of signing a cooperation agreement between ICESCO and Saudia Airlines, which would open up broader prospects for partnership, including designating Saudia Airlines as one of the carriers for ICESCO guests participating in its conferences, forums, seminars and international events.
During the meeting, Mr. Nayef bin Abdullah Al-Ajhar expressed his appreciation for the roles undertaken by ICESCO and the high-impact initiatives, programs and projects it implements across its Member States. He commended the Organization’s impact in the fields of education, science and culture, as well as the cooperation opportunities it offers which align with Saudia Airlines’ objectives and social responsibility programs.
For his part, Dr. AlMalik underscored the importance of building effective institutional partnerships with leading national institutions. He commended Saudia Airlines’ standing and international presence, noting the opportunities that partnership with the airline could offer to support ICESCO’s programs and expand their impact.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik thanked Mr. Nayef bin Abdullah Al-Ajhar for his visit, expressing his hope that the discussions would be translated into practical steps laying the foundations for fruitful cooperation and a sustainable partnership between ICESCO and Saudia Airlines.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a delegation of Moroccan artists on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, to discuss ways and mechanisms for leveraging art and creative industries to advance education and learning, promote the development of science, and raise awareness of the culture of the Islamic world. The meeting came as part of their participation in the Youth Knowledge Forum.
The delegation included Mr. Rachid El Ouali, actor, director and producer; Mr. Youssef Britel, film director and screenwriter; Ms. Sandya Tajdin, actress; and Ms. Faten El Youssoufi, screenwriter and playwright.
During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s efforts, within the framework of its vision and strategic plan, to engage youth and women by attracting young talents and strengthening women’s capacities across the Organization’s various sectors, departments and centers. He underscored the role of art, in its various forms, in raising awareness of the issues and challenges facing societies around the world.
For their part, the guests expressed their willingness to cooperate with ICESCO in organizing international conferences and seminars aimed at building bridges of communication and fostering the exchange of expertise among artists, media professionals and industry workers.
At the close of the meeting, the delegation toured the ICESCO Studio, which is equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and technologies for recording and media broadcasting, with the aim of enhancing the production of digital content that supports the Organization’s global mission. The delegation also visited the Sultan Qaboos Library and explored its modern facilities and collection of knowledge and cultural publications and references, as well as a number of rare books and documents. The meeting was also attended by Osama Heikal, Head of ICESCO Media and Communication Sector.
The fifth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum concluded on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. The event was organized in partnership between ICESCO, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the theme “From Crisis to Sustainability.” The event brought together more than 3,500 young people, both in person and via digital-twin technology in Cairo, Sharjah, Baku, and Kazan, alongside ambassadors, experts, and specialists in media, culture, education, and sustainable development.
The Forum featured five panel discussions addressing issues of health and biosecurity, social and economic crises, reputation and communication, climate and the environment, as well as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The discussions focused on equipping young people with the tools required to understand and prepare for crises, while enhancing their contribution to devising innovative solutions that meet the needs of their communities and support sustainable development pathways.
The event also featured a session titled “Knowledge Studio,” with the participation of Moroccan directors, actors, and screenwriters, who explored ways of leveraging film, games, music, and social media to raise awareness about crises and enhance preparedness to address them.
The Forum’s closing statement, delivered by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Director-General’s Office and Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, and of the Digital Transformation Management Department, called for the digital-twin network to continue connecting young people and experts, and for the Forum’s success to be measured by the initiatives implemented on the ground.
The statement emphasized the need to involve young people in the various stages of crisis management, ensure equitable access to knowledge and technology for the youth, and establish verifying information as a practice before it is circulated. It also urged participants to leave the Forum with specific challenges, partnerships, and practical steps, and stressed that knowledge, preparedness, and joint action enhance the ability to confront crises.
The Forum concluded with the distribution of three iPad tablets to three participants and the awarding of training and career opportunities to seven winners, providing access to more than 13,000 remote learning courses. ICESCO also provided two additional iPads to winning participants with disabilities, in support of their digital inclusion and to facilitate their access to learning and knowledge opportunities.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Leyla Fazleeva, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, and Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Aide to the Rais of the Republic and Head of All-Russian Public-State Movement of Children and Youth in the Republic of Tatarstan “Movement of the First,” to discuss ways and mechanisms of cooperation between the Organization and Tatarstan in the areas of youth capacity building and heritage preservation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 5th edition of the “Knowledge Youth Forum,” which is being hosted for the second time at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, on 7-8 September.
During the meeting, held on 7 September 2026, at ICESCO Headquarters, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the Organization’s vision and strategic plan, highlighting its efforts in recent years to strengthen the fields of education, science and culture and support its Member States in achieving comprehensive development goals and building sustainable societies. He emphasized the importance of developing partnerships with organizations, institutions, universities and research centers across the Islamic world to exchange expertise and best practices in areas of shared interest.
For her part, Ms. Fazleeva commended the strong partnership between ICESCO and Tatarstan, which has resulted in several joint activities over the past five years. She also praised the Organization’s contributions to bridging communication among the countries of the Islamic world and preparing youth for future challenges by honing their skills in various fields.
The two sides agreed to cooperate during the coming period to promote the culture and rich heritage of Central Asia and train youth in the fields of modern technology. The meeting was attended from ICESCO by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Kuanysh Yergaliyev, Head of the Science and Environment Sector.
