Category: News

His Excellency Mr. Erlan Karin, Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Friday, 6 November 2026, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to discuss ways and mechanisms for strengthening the strategic partnership between the two sides in education, science and culture. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Second International Conference, “Al-Farabi and His Contributions Throughout Human History”, organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik congratulated Mr. Karin on his appointment as Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and wished him every success in his new role. He also expressed his appreciation for the bilateral cooperation and Kazakhstan’s support for several of ICESCO programs and projects.

For his part, Mr. Karin conveyed the Kazakh President’s gratitude to the ICESCO Director-General for his efforts to introduce the legacy of Abu Nasr Al-Farabi and celebrate Turkistan as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2027. He affirmed that, under its new Constitution, Kazakhstan considers the development of human capital, education, science and innovation to be a strategic priority.

The two sides discussed the addition of ten new Kazakh sites to ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, as well as cooperation in implementing joint scientific and educational programs and projects relating to the scholarly study of, and awareness-raising about, the legacies of Al-Farabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. They also discussed Kazakhstan’s hosting of the Conference of the Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World as part of the celebrations marking Turkistan as Capital of Culture.

Dr. AlMalik commended Kazakhstan’s progress in higher education and science, describing its experience as a model for the exchange of expertise among countries of the Islamic world. He proposed convening a conference of ministers of higher education to discuss the future of the sector and its challenges, and explore ways to develop higher education institutions in the 21st century.

Mr. Karin, in turn, outlined the priorities for cooperation within the framework of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, including strengthening President Tokayev’s initiative to establish a global movement for peace. The discussions also addressed ICESCO’s support for preparations for the 25th meeting of the Secretariat in 2027, and the 9th Congress in 2028.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to leveraging its expertise and capabilities to ensure the success of the “Turkistan: Capital of Culture in the Islamic World” celebration, underscoring the city’s civilizational significance on the international stage.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Aibek Sydykov, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, on Thursday, 5 November 2026, in the Republic of Kazakhstan, to discuss arrangements for celebrating Turkistan as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2027 and strengthening cooperation in culture, education, science, and heritage protection. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Second International Conference on Al-Farabi and His Contributions Throughout Human History, which ICESCO is holding on Friday, 6 November 2026, under the theme “Philosophy, Virtue, and the Future”.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Culture and Information for its ongoing support for ICESCO’s initiatives and programs, commending the strong partnership between the Organization and the Republic of Kazakhstan. He also affirmed the Organization’s willingness to cooperate in implementing activities to celebrate Turkistan as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2027, as well as to strengthen cooperation in the fields of heritage preservation, education, culture, and scientific development.

For his part, Mr. Sydykov commended ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States, underscoring the importance of joint cooperation in promoting Kazakh cultural heritage and developing partnerships with countries across the Islamic world.

The two sides discussed arrangements for a program of cultural activities, including artistic performances, exhibitions of traditional crafts, and youth initiatives involving various ICESCO Member States, alongside efforts to strengthen the creative economy and sustainable cultural tourism.

Both sides welcomed the progress made in preparing the joint action plan and its launch at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat in December 2026. They also underscored the importance of close cooperation to ensure the implementation of activities with a tangible cultural impact in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, and the participating ICESCO Member States, and to showcase the city’s historical and civilizational heritage and its significance in the Islamic world.

The meeting also addressed arrangements for Kazakhstan’s upcoming hosting of the 14th Session of ICESCO’s Heritage Committee in the Islamic World in February 2027. The two sides discussed Kazakhstan’s submission of ten heritage nomination files to the Committee, with a view to their inclusion on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List, with the aim of showcasing Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage and its efforts to preserve it, and raising its international profile.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on Thursday, 5 November 2026, in Almaty. They discussed prospects for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan in the fields of higher education and scientific research.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik commended the remarkable academic momentum in Kazakhstan and its success in attracting prestigious international universities and scientific research centers to establish branches in the country, either independently or in partnership with Kazakh academic and research institutions. He noted that these efforts contribute to the development of the higher education system and enhance its competitiveness. He also praised the high rankings achieved by several Kazakh universities in international rankings and welcomed the growing number of international students pursuing undergraduate and doctoral studies at these institutions.

The ICESCO Director-General stressed that the achievements made over the past five years offer a distinctive experience that deserves to be shared with Member States, enabling them to benefit from Kazakhstan’s expertise in developing their university and research systems.

For his part, H.E. the Minister affirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with ICESCO and its Member States through the relevant ministries, universities, and research centers.
He noted that Kazakh academic institutions welcome young people from across the Islamic world to study a wide range of disciplines.
Dr. AlMalik also proposed that Kazakhstan host the ICESCO Conference of Ministers of Higher Education in 2027. The Conference would provide an opportunity to discuss the future of higher education in the Islamic world and the challenges facing some Member States, as well as to exchange experiences and benefit from expertise in developing higher education systems and building academic partnerships, particularly by drawing on Kazakhstan’s experience. The event would bring together ministers, academic leaders, and experts from various countries.

At the close of the meeting, H.E. the Minister thanked Dr. AlMalik for his visit to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Second International Conference on Al-Farabi.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the first session of the Regional Committee of the Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab States, convened by UNESCO with representatives from 19 Arab countries and relevant regional organizations.

The session, held on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at UN House in Doha, Qatar, following the Convention’s entry into force on 18 April, aimed to establish the institutional and organizational mechanisms needed to monitor its implementation, strengthen mutual recognition of higher education qualifications, facilitate academic mobility, and advance cooperation among Arab countries in this field.

ICESCO was represented at the meeting by Dr. Ahmed Albanyan, Head of the Education Sector, Supervisor of the Translation and Publishing Center, and Dr. Kuanysh Yergaliyev, Head of the Science and Environment Sector, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in education, science, and higher education.

In his address during the second session, devoted to discussing the transitional action plan, Dr. Albanyan welcomed the draft plan, commending its unified framework for country profiles and the network’s digital platform. He stressed that the recognition of qualifications has become an essential means of expanding employment opportunities and fostering academic and professional mobility.

In this context, Dr. Albanyan announced ICESCO’s readiness, through its Education Sector and Translation and Publishing Center, to provide technical and in-kind support for implementing the transitional action plan. This support includes developing a unified Arabic-English-French glossary of terminology on the recognition of qualifications, in coordination with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO); preparing guidelines for translating academic documents; contributing to the translation of information materials on the Convention; and building the capacities of national information centers.

The session is particularly significant as the Regional Committee’s inaugural meeting. The Committee plays a pivotal role in monitoring the Convention’s implementation and further developing its mechanisms.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has published a new book titled “Proceedings of the Second International Conference: Modern Approaches and Smart Applications in Teaching Arabic Grammar and Morphology to Non-Arabic Speakers”. The publication features contributions by 53 researchers from 16 countries, following their participation in the Conference on this topic, organized by ICESCO in Bursa, Republic of Türkiye, in cooperation with Bursa Uludağ University in April 2026.

The two-volume publication, totaling 1,124 pages, contains 52 peer-reviewed research papers by specialists and university professors. The authors sought to present innovative scientific insights that would help transform the teaching of grammar and morphology from a purely theoretical subject into an effective and integrated learning experience, by empowering learners, making use of modern technologies, and adopting interactive approaches based on discovery and application.

The book covers the following themes:
• Challenges in teaching grammar and morphology;
• Grammar and morphology in textbooks for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers;
• Assessment of grammatical and morphological competence;
• Modern strategies for teaching grammar: from rote learning to empowerment;
• Artificial intelligence and modern applications in teaching grammar.

ICESCO is making the book available for free download through its website via the following links:
Volume 1:
https://icesco.org/icesco.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/كتاب-مؤتمر-بورصا-الثاني-الجزء-الأول-web-1.pdf
Volume 2:
https://icesco.org/icesco.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/كتاب-مؤتمر-بورصا-الثاني-الجزء-الثاني-web-.pdf

As part of its Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS) program, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a webinar on 3 November 2026 titled “Peace and Sustainability: Why Environment, Food Security and Natural Resources Matter in Peacebuilding?” The webinar was organized in preparation for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), being held this November in Türkiye. Representatives of international organizations, experts and young civil society leaders took part to examine the close links between environmental protection, food security, natural resources and sustainable peace.

Speaking at the webinar’s opening session, organized by ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector and Science and Environment Sector, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector, highlighted the success of the LTIPS program, which has trained 227 Young Peace Ambassadors from 81 countries. She stressed the importance of sustained youth engagement in environmental action, the need to move beyond treating environmental issues, food security and peacebuilding as separate concerns, and the importance of adopting a comprehensive, integrated approach.

For his part, Dr. Muhammad Sabieh Anwar, Deputy Head of the Science and Environment Sector, speaking on behalf of the Sector’s Head, Dr. Yergaliyev Kuanysh, emphasized the importance of such participatory initiatives. He commended ICESCO’s “Peace 360°” approach, which offers a distinct and more comprehensive vision for peacebuilding.

The first session was moderated by Mr. Alioune Ndiaye, Head of the Peace Division at ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, with the participation of Mr. Bakytzhan Arystanbek of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, Ms. Esther Marner of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Momodou Lamin Joof of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), and Dr. Fahman Fathurahman, expert at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector. The session explored the interconnections between the environment and peacebuilding, with speakers presenting the practical approaches implemented by their institutions in this field.

The second session, moderated by Dr. Wissam Chehade, expert at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, focused on ways youth and women can contribute to peacebuilding by strengthening environmental resilience and food security. Participants included Mr. Ari Adipratomo of The Climate Reality Project in Indonesia, and Ms. Roukiatou Traoré and Ms. Kumba Jobarteh, ICESCO Young Peace Ambassadors. They shared their field experiences and encouraged young people to take initiative and actively engage in environmental action.

The second Regional Seminar on Cultural Heritage Nomination of Cultural Heritage Properties and Integrated Management continued for a second consecutive day in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), represented by its Regional Office in Baku and the Islamic World Heritage Center, is holding the seminar in partnership with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and the Kazakh Research Institute of Culture. The event aims to strengthen sustainable heritage management skills in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

In a recorded address during the seminar, held from 3 to 5 November 2026, Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of the ICESCO Regional Office, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation, sharing expertise and building capacities to protect heritage and safeguard its components.

The seminar program includes a training workshop attended by 14 heritage and culture experts and specialists from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The workshop is supervised by Dr. Bilel Chebbi, Program Manager at the Center, Dr. Muhammad Al-Absi and Mr. Mirshod Nishonov, experts at the Center. It aims to finalize a number of nomination files on the Islamic World Heritage Tentative List and enhance the conservation and sound management of the sites concerned with a view to promoting their international recognition.

The seminar is part of efforts to implement the recommendations of the 13th meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, held in Uzbekistan, in February 2026, which emphasized the need to strengthen technical expertise and regional integration in heritage conservation.