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    Exploring prospects for Strengthening Cooperation betweenICESCO and Uzbekistan in Environmental Protection

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss potential ways for bolstering cooperation between ICESCO and Uzbekistan in environmental protection. The Meeting focused particularly on environmental protection in the context of celebrating Samarkand as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World for year 2025, as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals program.

    The Meeting took place today, Monday, November 11, 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion in the Blue Zone of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, which began its sessions today. During the Meeting, Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to coordinating closely with Uzbek Competent authorities to ensure a successful celebration of Samarkand as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World. The Program will include various initiatives and activities throughout the year to highlight the City’s rich cultural heritage.

    The Meeting also covered the possibility of Uzbekistan hosting conferences and activities related to environmental protection and climate change, aiming to facilitate exchanges of expertise and best practices in these areas. This cooperation seeks to raise environmental awareness across the Islamic world.

    ICESCO and OTS Explore Strengthening Cooperation in Areas of Mutual Interest

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with H.E. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), who visited ICESCO’s pavilion at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. During their meeting, the two parties discussed topics of mutual interest and explored ways to further enhance their partnership.

    At the outset of the meeting, held on Monday, November 11, 2024, Dr. AlMalik underscored ICESCO’s commitment to developing initiatives, programs, and projects in partnership with the Organization of Turkic States in areas of shared action. This partnership is set to be formalized in a cooperation agreement, which the two organizations plan to sign during Dr. AlMalik’s forthcoming visit to OTS’s headquarters in Istanbul, Türkiye, in January.

    For his part, H.E. Amb. Omuraliev commended ICESCO’s role and efforts in supporting its Member States in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. He reaffirmed the Organization of Turkic States’ dedication to strengthening cooperation with ICESCO, especially in light of the MoU signed between the two organizations to enhance their collaboration.

    COP29 kicks off in Baku with ICESCO’s participation

    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended the opening session of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which kicked off on Monday (11 November 2024) and continue until November 22, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The COP29 features the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, the major event within the conference activities, which is an opportunity to assess the progress made in mitigating the effects of climate change and discuss the best ways to combat this phenomenon. This year Summit will focus on generating new funding for climate action.

    During the opening session of COP29, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, COP28 President, handed the COP presidency over to Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who called in his address for enhancing climate ambition through clear plans and effective financing for the benefit of developing countries. Mr. Simon Stiell, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of defining a new global climate finance goal, adding that the current challenges require global resilience.

    ICESCO, which holds an observer status at COP29, is participating in the 29th session of the Conference in Baku with a special pavilion in the Blue Zone, where about 50 diverse activities is scheduled to discuss the implications of climate change on education, science and culture. ICESCO will also organize a panel discussion, in partnership with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) on enhancing water security, biodiversity and peace through innovation and Earth observation.

    Dr. Al-Malik, leading ICESCO’s high-level delegation at the Conference, will participate in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit. He will also meet a number of senior officials participating in the Conference as well as the heads of relevant international organizations and bodies to discuss ways of cooperation for promoting environmental protection and countering the negative repercussions of climate change.

    Following the COP29 opening session, ICESCO Director General visited the Organization’s pavilion in the Blue Zone, checked the preparations for the start of activities, and received a number of officials and ministers participating in the Conference.

    ICESCO Co-organizes the International Conference “Andalusian Legacy and Civilisation: from Birth to Contemporary Transformation” in Spain

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) co-organized the International Conference “Andalusian Legacy and Civilisation: from Birth to Contemporary Transformation.” The Conference, convened on 6 and 7 November 2024 in Granada, Spain, was held by ICESCO Chair for Alliance of Civilizations at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, in cooperation with several Arab and European institutions. The event gathered historians and academics from 13 countries and featured discussions of approximately 40 research papers.

    In his address during the Conference’s opening session, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO, emphasized the world’s need for forums and organizations that foster hope amidst global conflicts. Mr. Karimov noted that the presence of Muslims in Andalusia embodied a vibrant example of constructive intercultural relations, with the region experiencing 800 years of scientific, literary, and artistic creativity. Mr. Karimov concluded by affirming ICESCO’s support for all international efforts aimed at promoting the values of intercultural dialogue.

    Amb. Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, chaired the Conference’s closing session. In his remarks, he highlighted that the Conference exemplifies the concept of “civilizational diplomacy,” coined by ICESCO. Amb. Fathalrahman praised the Conference’s recommendations, which pave the way for integrated efforts to celebrate the manifestations of Islamic cultural contributions in Andalusia.

    The Conference papers covered various topics, including the historical foundations of the Islamic presence in Andalusia, exploration of its influences, and analyses of contemporary transformations in the context of Spain’s relationship with the Islamic world.

    On World Science Day for Peace and Development: ICESCO Calls for Raising Awareness of Role of Scientific Diplomacy

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) seizes the occasion of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated annually on November 10th, to call on the international community to exert more efforts to raise awareness of the role of scientific diplomacy in promoting knowledge and building peace across the globe, and work towards improving the quality of scientific research, given the significant role of sciences in advancing societies and achieving sustainable development.

    Stemming from its firm belief in the importance of leveraging sciences to build peace, and as part of its vision and strategic orientations, ICESCO seeks to anchor the concept of scientific diplomacy through conducting the study, “Promoting Scientific Diplomacy: Roadmap to the Strategy of ICESCO Member States”. The study provides insights into mechanisms to develop scientific cooperation mechanisms and knowledge exchange in the Islamic world, with the aim of addressing the standing challenges the Member States face in a number of fields, particularly in climate change, healthcare and sustainable development.

    Moreover, to contribute to fostering the role of scientific research and innovation in ensuring the societal prosperity and natural resources sustainability, ICESCO implements a number of programs and activities, including ICESCO’s Contest for Transforming Bio-Waste into Food Bars to achieve food security, and ICESCO’s Program to Produce 500,000 Seedlings in the Islamic World in order ensure the afforestation of areas affected by desertification, promote good governance in natural resources use, and reclaim degraded lands.

    In a world marked by fast-paced technological advancements, ICESCO calls for establishing training practices that adhere to an up-to-date and skill-based scientific approach to anticipate the needs of professions of the future, and promote sciences as a tool for achieving development, building peace and attaining prosperity.

    ICESCO Deputy Director-General Participates in 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair

    Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), is participating in the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair in the United Arab Emirates. The Event was inaugurated on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council, and Ruler of Sharjah, under the theme “It Starts with a Book.” The Fair, held at the Sharjah Expo Center, will continue through November 17 and features 2,522 publishers and exhibitors hailing from 108 countries, with Morocco as this year’s Guest of Honor.

    Dr. Benarfa attended the official opening ceremony of the Fair alongside other distinguished guests. The Ceremony included the announcement of the publication of the Historical Arabic Language Dictionary, a monumental work comprising 127 volumes. This major cultural achievement was celebrated alongside the recognition of several figures who have significantly contributed to the intellectual and literary landscape.

    As part of the Fair’s events, Dr. Benarfa participated in an interactive panel on “Writing and Freedom,” hosted by the Sharjah Book Authority on the opening day. This session, attended by prominent writers and authors from various countries, offered a rich discussion on the intrinsic connection between creativity and freedom and the organic bond that unites them.

    Additionally, Dr. Benarfa will be joining a symposium titled “the Moroccan Character in History, Civilization and Heritage,” organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication. This event is part of Morocco’s extensive cultural program celebrating its role as Guest of Honor at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair.

    This year’s edition will host over 1,357 diverse activities, with 250 guests participating from 63 countries. Among these, 500 are cultural events, including sessions, workshops, and symposia wherein leading creatives will explore major cultural and literary issues, along with the latest trends in the Arab and global cultural spheres.

    International Thinkers Guests of ICESCO” Holds Two Events on the Role of Music in Therapy

    As part of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (ICESCO) International Open Days, the ICESCO Chairs Network for Thought, Literature, and Arts hosted the fourth edition of the program ” International Thinkers Guests of ICESCO” under the theme “Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Disability, and the Right to Culture.” This program was organized in partnership with the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, the Sorbonne University, and the European Center for Cultural Accessibility in France.

    The two-day event, held on 4 – 5 November 2024, featured two intellectual forums: the first at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez and the second at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat. Both sessions brought together an array of international academics and specialists in therapeutic fields to explore ways of integrating arts into therapy and rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities, supporting their right to cultural access, and emphasizing the role of arts in fostering social inclusion.


    Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector, opened the sessions by emphasizing the importance of ICESCO’s programs and activities as a global center of expertise that addresses key contemporary issues, including cultural rights and therapy through art.

    Following his remarks, Dr. Édith Lecourt, Professor of Psychology at Paris Cité University, shared France’s experience in introducing music therapy into university programs, highlighting music’s unique ability to transcend language barriers and translation difficulties.


    Composer and musician Mr. André Fertier spoke of the significance of art therapy, detailing his career and his dedication to therapeutic art practices.

    Mr. François-Xavier Vrait, a music therapy specialist, spoke on the intersections of psychology, neuroscience, and community communication through music. Dr. Frank Pecquet, Professor at the Sorbonne University, then discussed the evolving aesthetics of contemporary arts.

    The Sessions were moderated by Dr. Sanae Ghouati, Supervisor of ICESCO Chair at Ibn Tofail University; Dr. Asma Abbas, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities at Al Akhawayn University; Dr. Majda Nniya El Berdai, Professor at the Euro-Mediterranean University; and Dr. Bouazza Benachir, Professor at Ibn Tofail University.

    ICESCO Director-General Meets Kuwaiti Minister of Education

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, Minister of Education, Chairman of the Kuwaiti National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, held a meeting to discuss ways to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Kuwait in education, science and culture.

    At the outset of the meeting, held on Tuesday 5 November 2024, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education in Kuwaiti city, Dr. Al-Malik congratulated Eng. Al-Tabtabaei on receiving the Amiri trust and his appointment as Kuwait’s Minister of Education, wishing him success in his new role.
    Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main lines of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting its ongoing programs, projects, and activities. Dr. AlMalik focused particularly on efforts in developing educational systems and curricula, empowering women and youth, preparing them for future careers, promoting values of coexistence, peace, and intercultural dialogue, and encouraging investment in technology, innovation, artificial intelligence applications, and space sciences. Additionally, Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of fostering a culture of foresight and enhancing the global standing of the Arabic language.

    ICESCO DG expressed the Organization’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait, in coordination with the Kuwaiti National Commission, and other relevant bodies, through implementing initiatives, programs, and projects in ICESCO’s areas of action that align with Kuwait’s priorities in these fields.

    For his part, Eng. Al-Tabtabaei praised ICESCO’s role in supporting its Member States across its fields of expertise and expressed his eagerness to leverage ICESCO’s experience in contributing to the development of Kuwait’s educational system.

    The meeting also included discussions on several proposed programs and projects for joint implementation, with both parties agreeing to continue coordinating on a set of educational projects. At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Eng. Al-Tabtabaei with ICESCO shield.

    The meeting was attended by Ms. Awatef Al-Anzi, Head of Technical Office Department to the Kuwaiti National Commission.

    Exploring Cooperation Prospects between ICESCO and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Bader Al-Saad, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. The Meeting focused on exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest between ICESCO, the Arab Fund, and the Coordination Group of the Arab National and Regional Development Institutions, for which the fund serves as the coordination secretariat.

    During the Meeting, held today, TuesdaY, November 5, 2024, in Kuwait City, Dr. AlMalik reviewed key aspects of ICESCO’s foresighted vision, highlighting ongoing initiatives, programs, and activities that emphasize youth and women capacity-building, leveraging modern technology, and contributing to social, economic, environmental, and cultural development across its Member States.

    At the close of the Meeting, both parties expressed their anticipation of establishing a productive partnership between ICESCO and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, through the launch of initiatives and programs that will positively impact economic and social development in the Islamic world.

    Signing of the Agreement on Libya’s Hosting of ICESCO’s 45th Executive Council

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science signed an agreement on Libya’s hosting of the 45th session of ICESCO Executive Council, due to be held in January 2025, in Tripoli.

    The agreement was signed at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, on Tuesday (5 November 2024), by Dr. Salim Al-Habsi, Director of the General Secretariat for National Commissions and Conferences of ICESCO, and Dr. Mohammed Amari Zayed, Libya’s Permanent Representative at ICESCO, on behalf of the Libyan National Commission.

    Following the signing, Dr. Al-Habsi expressed his confidence in the ability of the competent parties in Libya to ensure the success of ICESCO Executive Council, noting that it will feature a consultative meeting of Member States to tackle the opportunities and challenges facing the Islamic world.

    For his part, Dr. Zayed affirmed that the Libyan authorities will spare no effort to successfully host and organize ICESCO Executive Council in Tripoli, commending the distinguished cooperation relations between ICESCO and the State of Libya in the Organization’s areas of competence.

    It is worth mentioning that ICESCO Executive Council is convened on an annual basis, bringing together its members and the delegations of ICESCO’s 53 Member States, with the Secretaries-General of National Commissions heading their delegations, to examine and approve the activity reports and action plans submitted by ICESCO’s General Directorate.