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    Mauritanian President Awards ICESCO Director-General the Commander of the Order of National Merit

    H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, has awarded the Medal of the Commander of the National Order of Merit to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in recognition of his outstanding efforts to develop the Organization’s fields of competence and increase its civilizational influence since assuming the post of Director General.

    President El Ghazouani received Dr. AlMalik on Thursday, 12 December 2024, at the Presidential Palace in Nouakchott and decorated him with the medal, one of the highest honors awarded by the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to distinguished personalities.

    At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his sincere thanks and deep gratitude to H.E. President El Ghazouani for his support to the cooperation between ICESCO and Mauritania, and reviewed the main programs and projects underway in the framework of this bilateral cooperation. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to H.E. Dr. Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Dah, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, for her patronage of a number of the Organization’s activities, in particular the International Scientific Conference on the theme: “Family and Technology: Regulating Services and Controlling Uses”, whose third session took place today in Nouakchott, in the presence of high-level personalities in view of the importance of the subject.

    For his part, H.E. the President praised the high quality of ICESCO’s programs and initiatives for the benefit of its Member States, as well as the support it has provided to Mauritania over the past five years as part of the country’s dynamic development at all levels, particularly in the fields of education, science and culture.

    The meeting was attended by Mr. Nani Ould Chrouga, Minister in charge of the Office of the President of the Republic, Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the Director General of ICESCO, and Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdalla, Secretary General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

    ICESCO holds 3rd Session of its International Science Conference in Nouakchott on Guidelines for the Relationship Between Families and Technology

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Administration of Mauritania, and the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Maryam Mohamed Fadil Dah, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, organized the 3rd ICESCO International Science Conference on “Family and Technology: Regulating Services and Controlling Usage” in Nouakchott, Mauritania, at the Nouakchott Convention Center (Palais des Congrés) on Thursday 12 December 2024.

    The Event brought together high-ranking ministers, officials, and experts in digital education and family psychology, in addition to representatives from technology companies to examine the impact of technology on the family, and develop strategies for regulating technological services.

    The opening session commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a video presentation highlighting the intersection of family and technology, the challenges posed by its usage, and the importance of awareness programs to address these issues. Subsequently, Mr. Mohamed Ould Sidi Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Mauritanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, praised the pertinence of the Conference’s topics, emphasizing the value of its outcomes in analyzing trends and challenges related to digital technology usage.


    In his remarks, Mr. Idoumou Islamou Abeidallah, President of the Nouakchott Regional Council, acknowledged the profound challenges posed by technological advancements to family cohesion and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting innovative initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.

    Mr. Ahmed Salem Ould Bede, Minister of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Administration of Mauritania, outlined his ministry’s achievements in advancing digital transformation to improve family life and foster comprehensive awareness of the risks associated with the misuse of technology.

    Mr. Houssein Ould Meddou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Parliamentary Relations, and spokesperson for the Mauritanian government, highlighted the family’s role as the primary and most important institution for child-rearing. He stressed the need for families to strike a balance between the benefits of modern advancements and societal values.

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that the Conference’s theme provided a critical opportunity to explore the positive and negative impacts of digitalization on society, particularly its relationship with families. He called for in-depth discussions on family-related topics, including the integration of modern educational methods into school programs and their ability to connect the dynamics of family life with what schools provide, as well as the content consumed by children and youth in their interaction with smartphones.

    The opening session concluded with remarks by Ms. Safiya Bint N’Tahah, Minister of Social Work, Childhood, and Family, who represented the First Lady of Mauritania. She emphasized that modern technologies, particularly those related to communication, compel society to find optimal ways to utilize them effectively.

    Following the opening session, ICESCO’s Director-General and other participating ministers toured the technology exhibition held alongside the Conference, where institutions and companies showcased their latest tools and technological solutions.


    The Conference’s scientific sessions then kicked-off, addressing topics such as “The Positive and Negative Impacts of Technology on the Family,” “Strategies for Regulating Technological Services,” and “Education and Technology in the Family to Ensure Safety and Privacy.”

    Among the key outcomes of the Conference, which featured rich discussions and an exchange of ideas on regulating the relationship between the family and technology, was an agreement to issue guidebooks outlining safe technology usage practices within families. Additionally, there was a call to organize regular workshops aimed at enhancing digital education and promoting safety awareness, alongside efforts to develop applications to assist families in monitoring technology use effectively.

    ICESCO congratulates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on winning the bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) congratulates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his loyal Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister, may Allah protect them, on the occasion of the official confirmation of the Kingdom’s hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

    While commending the great achievements accomplished by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at all levels, including sports in general and football in particular, ICESCO affirms that Saudi Arabia’s organization of this international event will be an opportunity to present to the peoples of the world a positive image of the culture of the Islamic world, and to show the Kingdom’s civilizational treasures and its tangible and intangible heritage, which contributes significantly to strengthening the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue.

    On this occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, affirmed the Organization’s full readiness to cooperate and provide all forms of support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during its preparations to organize this major international event, as part of the strong partnership between the two sides, to achieve the desired success in organizing the 2034 World Cup and to promote the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

    Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed the importance of pooling efforts to invest in sports in general, and football in particular, given its powerful influence on different groups and overwhelming popularity around the world, and contribute to spreading the culture of peace and civilizational dialogue and achieving sustainable development.

    Launch of Training Workshop on “Combating Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Properties” at ICESCO Headquarters

    Continuing its efforts to safeguard and promote heritage, particularly through the development of a strategy to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property in the Islamic world, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) launched today, Tuesday, 10 December 2024, a training workshop titled “Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Properties: Documentation and Preservation.” The Workshop, organized in collaboration with Qatar National Library and the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, is directed toward heritage professionals from 13 countries.

    The opening session of the Workshop, held as part of the “Qatar-Morocco 2024 Cultural Year”, began with an overview presented by Dr. Asmaa Mahdioui, Program Assistant in the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards at ICESCO.

    In his remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that preserving cultural property is a fundamental human right. He highlighted the painful instances of destruction, looting, and smuggling of cultural property witnessed in recent years, often exploiting legal loopholes. These incidents have prompted ICESCO to take the lead by developing its anti-trafficking strategy.

    Moreover, Dr. AlMalik explained that ICESCO is producing a series of scientific studies covering various national and international legal mechanisms. He underlined the critical role of documentation in combating illicit trafficking by enabling tracking, proof of ownership, and restitution. He also stressed the importance of modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, which offers unprecedented opportunities for heritage preservation and safeguarding.

    Ms. Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library, reaffirmed the Library’s commitment to preserving the Region’s cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Ms. Samira El Malizi, Acting Director of the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, underscored the significance of international cooperation in addressing the challenge of illicit trafficking in cultural properties, advocating for enhanced legislative and legal frameworks.

    This was followed by a presentation from Mr. Maxim Nasra, Head of the Conservation and Preservation at Qatar National Library, on the “Himaya Project,” a library initiative aimed at combating illicit trafficking in cultural property, particularly manuscripts. Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards Department at ICESCO, also presented the Organization’s strategy for combating illicit trafficking in cultural properties in the Islamic world.

    Subsequently, the scientific sessions of the workshop commenced. The Workshop, scheduled to span over six consecutive days, will take place at ICESCO’s headquarters, the city of Fez, and the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat.

    ICESCO and Fondazione Mediterraneo explore prospects of cooperation to promote culture of peace

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Michele Capasso, President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation in promoting the culture of peace and anchoring the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue.

    During the meeting, held Monday, December 9, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to promoting openness and developing cooperation relations with all, noting that the Foundation’s goals intersect with the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, as they both firmly believe in the importance of peace and the need to anchor its principles through education, culture and science.

    He also stated that ICESCO implements a number of peacebuilding initiatives and programs, notably ICESCO’s Leadership Training for Peace and Security Program (LTIPS) and the Peace 360° Initiative.

    For his part, Dr. Capasso commended ICESCO’s roles and efforts within its areas of competence, reiterating his appreciation of Dr. AlMalik’s leadership style which has given impetus to the Organization’s work and achievements over the past five years. He stated that Dr. AlMalik’s endeavors prompted the Foundation to present him with its Mediterranean Award Medal of Honour for 2024, in a large ceremony held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Naples, Italy. He further explained that the Mediterranean Award Medal of Honour is an annual award presented to kings, heads of states, governments, intellectuals and academics who had significant contributions to anchoring the values of coexistence and peace across the globe.

    At the close of the meeting, the Organization agreed to examine a number of initiatives and programs proposed by the Foundation to assess the prospects of co-organization.

    ICESCO Holds International Workshop to Support Removal of Historical Sites in Africa from the List of World Heritage in Danger

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held at its headquarters, Today, Monday 9 December 2024, the international workshop titled “Supporting the Removal of Historical Sites in Africa from the List of World Heritage in Danger.”

    The Workshop, organized in collaboration with the African World Heritage Fund and UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of natural and cultural sites listed as World Heritage in Danger in Africa and discuss strategies for their removal from the List. The Event benefits heritage site directors and experts from 12 African countries.


    The opening session, marking the start of this five-day workshop, began with a presentation by Dr. Webber Ndoro, Director of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Centre. He highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing African countries in preserving the sites on the World Heritage in Danger list.

    This was followed by a recorded address from Dr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, who commended ICESCO’s efforts to protect the heritage of the Islamic world and encouraged participants to leverage the workshop to enhance the protection of African heritage.

    Dr. Albino Jopela, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund, shared several successful experiences in delisting sites from the danger list and expressed the Fund’s commitment to supporting innovative programs and projects in this area.

    In his remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that the Organization has, for years, assisted its Member States in protecting, preserving, and promoting cultural heritage as a crucial tool for strengthening social cohesion and peace. He mentioned an ICESCO study revealing that 59% of heritage sites globally listed as endangered are located in the Islamic world, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue and the significance of this workshop.

    Dr. AlMalik further explained that through the Islamic World Heritage Centre, ICESCO works to promote heritage and improve the effective management of heritage sites. The Organization has inscribed 724 heritage sites and cultural elements on its lists of Islamic world heritage. He also announced plans to hold several regional workshops and international conferences on managing heritage in contexts of insecurity, calling on all relevant organizations and international institutions to intensify efforts to protect heritage.


    Following the speeches, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Jopela signed a Memorandum of Understanding between ICESCO and the African World Heritage Fund. The agreement aims to foster collaboration in registering historical sites on heritage lists, building capacities for effective heritage asset management through joint training programs, workshops, and seminars, and reducing the number of sites listed as endangered by facilitating knowledge exchange in technologies and innovations related to heritage preservation.

    The first scientific session of the workshop then commenced, featuring a presentation on the main African sites included in the List of World Heritage in Danger, along with the Workshop’s objectives and methodology.

    Commemorative Stamp Launched at the Close of Celebrations Marking Marrakech as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024

    The historic Bahia Palace in Marrakech, Morocco, hosted the closing ceremony of the year-long celebration of Marrakech as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024. Held under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, the Celebration featured numerous cultural programs and activities organized in cooperation between ICESCO, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and various other Moroccan institutions. This initiative was part of ICESCO’s Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World program.

    The Event, organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Barid Al-Maghrib (Morocco Post Group), took place on Sunday evening, 8 December 2024, and included the launch of a commemorative stamp to honor this occasion.


    The Ceremony, attended by several Moroccan high-ranking officials and cultural figures, opened with an address by Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication. He emphasized that the designation of Marrakech as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World underscores the City’s cultural prominence both nationally and internationally, attributing the Event’s success to the collective efforts of all stakeholders.

    In his remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, affirmed that although the celebrations had concluded, Marrakech would remain a beacon of culture in the Islamic world. Over the past year, the City had captivated all with its cultural vibrancy through the organization of more than 250 diverse and meticulously executed activities. These events began with the distillation of orange blossom water in the “Zahriyet Marrakech” (Marrakech Orange Blossom Festival) and concluded with the issuance of a commemorative stamp marking ICESCO’s celebration of the city as a Culture Capital in the Islamic world.

    Dr. AlMalik expressed gratitude to all institutions and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the festivities, particularly the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the Marrakech Municipality, the Marrakech-Safi Region, and ICESCO’s dedicated team. He concluded his remarks by reciting a poem he composed for the occasion, titled “Marrakech: The Balm of Memory.”

    Mr. Amine Benjelloun Touimi, Director-General of Barid Al-Maghrib, highlighted the significance of the commemorative stamp in showcasing Marrakech’s pioneering role in preserving Moroccan cultural heritage. He noted that the stamp’s design reflects the city’s status as a symbol of cultural and civilizational diversity and detailed its artistic elements, which encapsulate the essence of Marrakech.

    Following the speeches, Dr. AlMalik, accompanied by Mr. Bensaid and Mr. Touimi, unveiled the design of the commemorative stamp. The Ceremony concluded with a tour of the art exhibitions currently hosted at Bahia Palace.

    ICESCO Organizes Training Workshop in Pakistan to Promote Health and Hygiene Practices in Schools

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a training workshop on “Health and Hygiene” for the benefit of 150 teachers in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO and the National Skills University, the workshop aimed to equip teachers with essential knowledge and practical skills to promote health and hygiene practices in schools. This initiative forms part of ICESCO’s flagship program to enhance water and sanitation services in 1,000 rural schools across the Islamic world.

    The three-day workshop, which concluded on Friday 6 November 2024, featured interactive sessions and practical activities covering diverse topics, including personal hygiene, school health programs, disease prevention, and fostering healthy environments. The discussions highlighted the pivotal role of teachers in ensuring healthier communities by instilling health and hygiene practices in students.

    In a videoconference address, Dr. Mohamed Sharif, Advisor to the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO, reviewed the Organization’s efforts and initiatives to promote the use of advanced technologies in health and hygiene practices. Dr. Sharif emphasized the importance of collaboration to strengthen the capacities of ICESCO Member States in health sector and reiterated the Organization’s commitment to expanding international partnerships to better integrate emerging technologies into national development strategies.

    The closing ceremony of the workshop was attended by notable figures, including Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training; Mr. Aftab Khan, Secretary-General of the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO; Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad; and Mr. Masood Sikandar, Director General of Basic Education.

    ICESCO Takes Part in the World Forum on the Alliance of Civilizations in Fez

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the World Forum on the Alliance of Civilizations organized on December 6 and 7, 2024 by the Euromed University of Fez (UEMF), in Morocco, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him. The Forum, held under the theme “Rebuilding trust for a united and plural world”, brought together senior officials, intellectuals, academics and religious leaders from several countries.

    Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director -General, took part in the first plenary session of the Forum on the theme “Towards an alliance for peace through trust: paths towards building peaceful, cohesive and just societies through the advancement of interreligious, intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue.” Dr. Benarafa spoke of the need to rebuild global trust, and the importance of international cooperation in tackling the global challenges that threaten world peace.

    He explained that, in order to restore trust in international relations, it was necessary to draw inspiration from the “therapeutic alliance” model in the field of health, so as to remedy global imbalances. This model itself, he pointed out, is based on transparency, solidarity and mutual trust, and involves a genuine commitment on the part of countries to cooperate on global issues such as climate change, peacebuilding, social justice and respect for human and humanitarian rights.

    Dr. Benarafa also underscored ICESCO’s initiatives and programs dedicated to promoting peace. These include declaring April 1st as the International Day of Mercy on April 21 each year, the Young Ambassadors for Peace program, the publication of the first Encyclopedia on Deconstructing Extremist Discourse in cooperation with the Mohammadia League of Scholars, and the launch of the Peace 360° initiative.

    Additionally, Dr. Mohammed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, participated in the third session of the Forum titled: “Transparency, accountability and trust: the foundations of sustainable global governance”. Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, participated in the fourth session: “Preventive diplomacy and international cooperation through trust: towards a more secure world”.

    The Forum was marked by the official inauguration of the Alliance of Civilizations Chair, chaired by Dr. Abdelhak Azzouzi, as well as the presentation of the Mediterranean Awards, which recognize outstanding productions in the field of peace, development and innovation.

    ICESCO Director-General at COP16: Sustainable management of lands and forests offer effective solutions to desertification

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that soil and forests are the pillars of life on Earth, given their key role in providing food, preserving ecosystems and supporting biodiversity. He added that sustainable management of lands and forests offer solid solutions to fighting desertification and the expansion of degraded land, underlining the importance of adopting a strategy to overcome these challenges, which is based on promoting efforts to reclaim degraded lands and protect forests.

    Dr. AlMalik made this statement during a panel discussion on, “Strengthening Soil Health and Climate Resilience: Sustainable Forest and Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa and West Asia”, held in cooperation among ICESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Islamic Organization for Food Security, as part of the proceedings of COP16, currently being held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    Dr. AlMalik commended the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect the environment, stating that the Kingdom offers an inspiring model in the Islamic world through its “Saudi Green Initiative”, which features the implementation of more than 80 activities and programs, including the plan to plant 10 billion trees and reclaim 40 million hectares of degraded land.

    Moreover, the Director-General highlighted the Organization’s key environmental initiatives and programs aiming at providing the Member States with the necessary knowledge and expertise to transition to smart agricultural systems and adopt sustainable practices. He also highlighted ICESCO’s ambitious program to produce 500,000 seedlings in the countries of the Islamic world and its Initiative, “Water Sustainability Collaboration Data Solutions Hub”, launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

    Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Technology Sector, and Dr. Hisham Al-Askari, Advisor to ICESCO Director General, also took part in the panel discussion.

    ICESCO Pavilion hosted a number of panel discussions, including “A Multidimensional Understanding of Land, Water and Communities Fragility and Resilience Pathways in MENA”, “Bridging Capacity Gap in Nature-Based Solutions to Deliver Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)”, and “Financing Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus (WEFE) to Fight Drought and Land Degradation. Sessions were also held to discuss “Role of Green Media in Fostering Efforts to protect the Earth and harmonize Biodiversity”, and “the Contributions and Role of Women in Desertification”.