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    Category: News

    ICESCO Participates in the 28th Session of ALECSO General Conference in Muscat

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the proceedings of the 28th Ordinary Session of the General Conference of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), hosted by Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, with the participation of representatives of Arab Member States and several regional and international organizations.

    ICESCO was represented at the Conference by Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ICESCO, on behalf of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Organization.

    Dr. Al Habsi delivered ICESCO’s address, conveying the Director-General’s greetings to the participants and emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and ALECSO and expanding areas of coordination and partnership in support of joint Arab action in education, culture, and science.

    He noted that cooperation between regional and international organizations provides opportunities for exchanging expertise and developing initiatives and programs, contributing to addressing the priorities and development aspirations of Member States. He also stressed the importance of joining efforts to adapt to rapid transformations, investing in people and knowledge, and enhancing the impact of educational, scientific, and cultural programs.

    ICESCO’s participation reaffirms its commitment to strengthening cooperation with ALECSO and organizations concerned with education, science, and culture, as well as supporting joint initiatives that serve Member States.

    ICESCO Director-General Attends Opening of Leaders’ Summit at COP 31, Discusses Cooperation with Ministers from Morocco and Pakistan

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    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.

    ICESCO Calls for Accelerating Climate Action in the Global South through Circular Economy Policies at COP31

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    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.

    During COP31, AlMalik Reaffirms ICESCO’s Commitment to Supporting Member States’ Efforts in Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems

    Posted on by ABDERRAHMANE OUASSIF

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting its Member States’ efforts in smart agriculture and sustainable food systems to strengthen food security. He highlighted ICESCO’s work to promote the use of science, technology, and innovation to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience, noting that food security is closely linked to climate action.

    Dr. AlMalik made the remarks during the high-level dialogue titled “Bridging the Implementation Gap: South-South Cooperation on Food Loss, Waste and Methane Mitigation for Climate and Food Security.” ICESCO organized the session in partnership with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the Science for Humanity’s Greatest Challenges network. The event was held on 11 November 2026 at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Pavilion as part of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.

    Dr. AlMalik cited statistics illustrating the scale of post-harvest food loss and food waste in retail outlets and facilities at a time when millions suffer from malnutrition. He also highlighted the climate impacts of such waste, foremost among them global greenhouse gas and methane emissions that drive global warming. Addressing this phenomenon is therefore essential to achieving food security, reducing emissions, and using resources more efficiently.

    He added that translating shared awareness into tangible action requires stronger cooperation across the food value chain; investment in storage, transport, refrigeration, and smart farming technologies; and access for farmers to information and digital tools that support climate change adaptation. It also requires improved methods for managing and recycling food and agricultural waste, as well as stronger institutional capacities and policies to implement and scale up solutions.

    The ICESCO Director-General reviewed ICESCO’s initiatives aimed at supporting food security in the Islamic world, including its participation in the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security launched at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2024. He also highlighted ICESCO’s contributions to the circular economy, noting that the Organization is preparing a technical report with recommendations on policy pathways for waste management and pollution reduction for the benefit of its Member States.

    Dr. AlMalik concluded by emphasizing the importance of cooperation among countries of the Global South to diversify expertise, transfer technology, and build institutional capacity in innovative agriculture, waste management, renewable energy, and food supply chain development. He also underscored the need to engage the private sector and research institutions in building more efficient and resilient food systems.

    ICESCO Highlights Role of Education and Innovation in Advancing Women’s Entrepreneurship at International Conference in Cairo

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the international conference titled “Empowering Women for a More Stable Family,” held on 10 and 11 November 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. The conference was organized by the National Council for Women in cooperation with the Women Development Organization and the Arab Family Organization.
    ICESCO was represented by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy, Innovation and Institutional Excellence Sector and Department of Digital Transformation. Speaking at the session titled “Women’s Entrepreneurship and Its Role in Strengthening Family Empowerment,” she stressed the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial culture among girls from the earliest stages of education and developing education systems that nurture creativity and innovation skills, enabling women and girls to turn their ideas into sustainable economic ventures.

    During the session, moderated by Ms. Nevine Gamea, former Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Mabrouk emphasized that the success of entrepreneurship programs should be measured not only by the number of women receiving training, but also by their ability to produce, market their products and ensure the sustainability of their ventures. She underlined the importance of linking education, vocational training, business incubators and the private sector to support women’s role in the economy.

    Dr. Mabrouk highlighted ICESCO’s efforts in this field through education and vocational training projects and income-generating activities in Yemen, Gabon and Niger, as well as the Cultural and Creative Industries Incubator EBDA3, Al Fihriya Academy for future women entrepreneurs, and initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s participation in science, technology and innovation.

    The session, which brought together a number of officials and experts, concluded with several recommendations, notably the need to instill an entrepreneurial culture in children from an early age, develop their creative skills, and raise awareness of programs and initiatives that support women’s economic empowerment.

    At the close of the session, Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women, honored the speakers and participants in recognition of their contributions to supporting women’s entrepreneurship and promoting family stability and community development.

    ICESCO to Implement 50 Climate Actions at COP31, Kicking Off Its Participation with Three Panel Discussions

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held three separate panel discussions on 10 November 2026 as part of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), convened by the United Nations in Antalya, Türkiye.

    Held at the Estonia, Thailand and Türkiye pavilions, the sessions focused on harnessing climate science and technology to build farmers’ capacities, develop cities capable of addressing the challenges of climate change, and strengthen the resilience of food and agricultural systems across Africa.

    The first panel, titled “Smart Farming, Regenerative Practices and Nature-Based Economies,” was held at the Estonia Pavilion in partnership with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the Responding to Climate Change (RTCC) and the “Earth Warriorz” organization. Moderated by Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, the panel explored ways farmers can use digital tools and regenerative practices to improve soil quality and optimize water management.

    The second panel, held at the Thailand Pavilion on “Building Climate-Resilient and Smart Cities through Innovation and Partnership,” was moderated by Dr. Adel Smeda, expert at the Science and Environment Sector. It featured a presentation by Dr. Fahman Fathurahman, also an expert at the Sector, on the role of technical cooperation in supporting cities as they implement their climate plans. Dr. Ziyad Abunada of Australia’s CQUniversity also discussed mechanisms for measuring the outcomes of urban investment.

    At the Türkiye Pavilion, ICESCO, the Islamic Organization for Food Security and COMSATS held a panel titled “Advancing the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus for Climate-Resilient Crop Production in Africa.” Moderated by Dr. Abdulaziz Hajjaji, Head of the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program at the Islamic Organization for Food Security, the panel examined ways to achieve agricultural adaptation across Africa.

    ICESCO Organizes Regional Workshop on Educational Skills and Professional Development for 226 Teachers of Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, held a regional workshop on “Practical Procedures and Tasks for Building Educational Guidance and Professional Development Skills.” The workshop benefited 226 education professionals working in the field of teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, who participated in person and via videoconference from 16 non-Arabic-speaking countries across Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

    During the workshop, held on 4 and 5 November 2026 in Mishkat Hall at ICESCO Headquarters, representatives of 17 trainee groups delivered a series of educational presentations showcasing the practical assignments their groups had completed following the previous workshop. The presentations included annual and thematic plans for Arabic language lessons, detailed design of sessions on language skills and components, including reading, conversation, and grammar.

    In preparing their presentations, the groups drew on the educational strategies and procedures addressed during the first workshop session, held in October, which focused on educational supervision and guidance tasks, along with the related planning policies and procedures for improving the quality of educational performance and developing the teaching competencies of teachers of Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

    The new 2026–2028 edition of the “Mishkat Educational Leadership” program spans two academic years and aims to prepare senior education professionals to assume leadership roles in developing Arabic language teaching programs in their countries. It is organized within the framework of the ICESCO–Hamdan bin Rashid “Mishkat Al-Arabiya” platform, in academic cooperation with Sultan Moulay Slimane University (USMS) in Beni Mellal, Kingdom of Morocco.

    ICESCO Organizes International Conference in Uzbekistan on Challenges of Understanding Islam and Arabic in the Age of Globalization

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in organizing the sixth international scientific conference, titled “Challenges of Understanding Islam and the Arabic Language in the Age of Globalization,” in cooperation with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the ICESCO Chair for Islamic Civilization hosted by the Academy. The event brought together a distinguished group of scholars, researchers, and representatives of universities, centers, and scientific institutions from several countries.

    At the opening session of the conference, held on 5 November 2026 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Head of the Language Training Division at ICESCO’s Center of Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers, delivered virtual welcoming remarks. He commended the ongoing cooperation with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the efforts of scientific institutions to advance the Arabic language, develop research, and strengthen academic exchange among researchers.

    Dr. Ismaili, representing ICESCO, then delivered a presentation titled “The Role of Arabic Language Education in Promoting a Proper Understanding of Islamic Concepts among Non-Arabic Speakers.” He highlighted the importance of Arabic as a gateway to understanding Islamic concepts within their linguistic and cultural contexts, stressing that its teaching should not be limited to acquiring vocabulary, structures, and communication skills, but should also enable learners to engage thoughtfully with original texts and sources. He further underscored the need to develop curricula and teaching materials, train teachers, and use digital technologies and artificial intelligence responsibly, while verifying the reliability of content and consulting specialists on technical academic matters.

    The conference featured speakers representing institutions from Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. Their presentations addressed the analysis of Islamic sources, countering extremism, religious education, Islamic finance, civilizational heritage, and the impact of globalization on awareness and understanding.

    Second Regional Seminar on Cultural Heritage Nomination and Management Concludes in Kazakhstan

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended the closing ceremony of the Second Regional Seminar on the Cultural Heritage Nomination and Integrated Management. The seminar was organized by ICESCO, through its Regional Office in Baku and its Islamic World Heritage Center, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Research Institute of Culture, from 3 to 5 November 2026 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It aimed to strengthen capacities for the sustainable management of heritage in Central Asia.

    At the closing ceremony, attended by Mr. Aibek Sydykov, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Sydykov both underscored the importance of regional cooperation in safeguarding cultural heritage. The ICESCO Director-General also highlighted the Organization’s efforts to support its Member States in preserving their cultural heritage for future generations.

    The Seminar included a capacity-building workshop in which heritage experts from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan received practical training in nominating heritage sites, approaches to their preservation and management, and methods for assessing the risks they face. The workshop also provided an opportunity to exchange professional expertise.

    The event concluded with Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Sydykov presenting certificates of appreciation to the participants.

    ICESCO Highlights the Role of Innovation at UN Governance Innovation Summit in Azerbaijan

    Posted on by Soukaina Azzabi

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the UN Governance Innovation Summit, held under the theme “Advancing Future-Ready Institutions”, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 5 and 6 November 2026. The Summit was jointly organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

    The Summit brought together around 200 participants, including ministers, senior government officials, representatives of international and regional organizations, experts and specialists, to exchange experiences and expertise and showcase innovative policies for developing public administration, driving institutional transformation, and building government institutions capable of meeting future demands.

    ICESCO was represented at the Summit by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director-General and Supervisor of the Strategy, Innovation and Institutional Excellence Sector and Department of Digital Transformation, alongside Mr. Murad Aliyev, Expert in the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.

    On the first day of the Summit, Dr. Sally Mabrouk moderated a high-level session titled “Rethinking the Role of the State: New Institutional Models for an Evolving Governance Landscape”, with the participation of senior representatives of the African Peer Review Mechanism of the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Labour Centre, and the Republics of Kenya and Suriname.

    The session examined the transformations in the role of the state amid rapid technological, economic and societal changes, with a focus on modernizing institutional structures, strengthening governance and accountability, and developing public institutions that are more flexible, efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs.

    On the second day, Dr. Sally Mabrouk also moderated one of the sessions of the Governance Innovation Hackathon, which served as an interactive platform for developing practical and innovative solutions to the challenges facing public administration and government institutions.
    The Hackathon brought together around 100 international participants, divided into eight multidisciplinary teams, who addressed a range of issues related to inclusive public services, citizen engagement, climate resilience, public-private partnerships, and the future skills required of public sector employees.

    ICESCO’s participation in the Summit reaffirms its continued commitment to fostering institutional innovation, consolidating the principles of good governance and institutional excellence, supporting digital transformation, and promoting the exchange of international knowledge and expertise, thereby contributing to the development of institutions that are more efficient, inclusive and capable of adapting to future changes.