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    Category: News

    ICESCO and OSBU Launch Green Media Declaration and Mediathon Competition During COP16 in Riyadh

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the O.I.C States Broadcasting Union (OSBU) announced the launch of the Green Media Declaration and the Mediathon Competition today, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, during the COP16 conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These initiatives aim to establish a practical framework for media’s role in responding to the global climate crisis, empowering journalists and media professionals to promote environmental awareness while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards.

    The announcement was made by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Amr El Leithy, OSBU President, during a session titled “Role of Green Media in Fostering Efforts to Protect the Earth and Harmonize Biodiversity”. The session was held at ICESCO’s pavilion in the Blue Zone during COP16.

    Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to placing environmental protection at the core of its priorities through initiatives and programs addressing climate change challenges. He noted that the Green Media Declaration and the Mediathon reflect ICESCO’s strategic vision of leveraging media as an effective tool for education, awareness, and collective action.

    At the end of his address, he expressed profound gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s leadership, government, and people, for successfully hosting and organizing COP16, highlighting the Kingdom’s leading role in addressing global environmental challenges.

    Dr. El Leithy underscored the significance of these two initiatives as a clear reflection of ICESCO and OSBU’s shared commitment to advancing climate action through joint efforts. He highlighted the pivotal role of environmental media in fostering awareness and enhancing community participation.
    Dr. El Leithy emphasized the importance of these two initiatives as a clear reflection of ICESCO and OSBU’s shared commitment to advancing climate action through collaborative efforts. He underscored the critical role of environmental media in raising awareness and driving active community engagement.

    At the end of the session, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. El Leithy signed the Green Media Declaration, which outlines fundamental principles and commitments to enhance media’s capacity in responding effectively to the climate crisis. Key themes of the Declaration include:

    • Media as a vital player in climate action.
    • Ensuring transparency and public access to climate-related information.
    • Protecting journalists and media professionals working in environmental reporting.
    • Combating misinformation related to climate issues.

    In addition, the Mediathon aims to encourage innovation in digital media by developing new platforms and tools for environmental communication, promoting sustainable journalism and environmental narratives, advocating for green and sustainable technology, and launching creative media projects to raise public awareness about climate change.

    ICESCO Deputy Director-General Receives Director General of Casa Mediterráneo

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    Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Andrés Perelló Rodríguez, Director-General of Casa Mediterráneo (House of the Mediterranean). The meeting focused on exploring prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Casa Mediterráneo, which aims to strengthen ties, foster dialogue, and enhance cooperation and mutual understanding between Spain and Mediterranean countries in cultural, economic, and political fields.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday 3 December 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. Benarafa outlined the key aspects of ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, highlighting its initiatives in its areas of competence, the transformations the Organization has undergone in its new phase, and the achievements it has accomplished.

    The discussion included a proposal to establish cooperation between ICESCO and Casa Mediterráneo to organize a forum in 2025 focusing on prominent Andalusian figures and cultural diplomacy, coinciding with the 1200th anniversary of the city of Murcia.

    The meeting was attended by Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

    Following the meeting, ICESCO Deputy Director-General accompanied Mr. Perelló Rodríguez and his delegation on a tour to the different pavilions and sections of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, as part of the strategic partnership between the Organization, the Islamic World League, and the Mohammedia League of Scholars.

    With ICESCO’s Participation, COP16 kicks off in Riyadh

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    With a special pavilion at the Blue Zone, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 2-12 December 2024. The COP16 is the largest gathering of the Parties of the Convention and the first to be held in the Middle East, with the aim of promoting cooperation among the Convention’s 196 signatories and discussing effective solutions to rehabilitating degraded land and reducing drought.

    During the opening session, the members of the Convention elected Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, as this session’s Conference President. In his address, Eng. Al Fadhli stated that the Kingdom aspires to achieve ambitious outcomes to preserve lands and curb their degradation, adding that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this session is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO’s Director General, is heading the Organization’s delegation to the Conference. Dr. AlMalik will take part in high-level activities, including a number of ministerial sessions on combating land degradation, drought resilience and migration, which will see the participation of ministers, senior officials, heads of international organizations and institutions concerned with climate action, in addition to the participating countries’ heads of delegations.

    ICESCO’s Pavilion in the Blue Zone will host a variety of activities and interactive sessions focusing on different themes, with the participation of leading environmental experts. The Pavilion will also see the launch of several of the Organization’s initiatives on environment, innovation and sustainable development in the Islamic world, as well as the preliminary launch of ICESCO’s Report on Best Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems.

    Following the remarkable success of its exceptional participation at COP29 in Azerbaijan, ICESCO’s participation in COP16 comes to reiterate the special attention its vision and strategic orientations pay to the field of environment in the Islamic world. Through its Science and Environment Sector, the Organization implements a number of pioneering initiatives and programs in the Member States to combat the negative effects of climate change and contribute to strengthening water and food security.

    Conclusion of Training for the Third Cohort of “Misk” Youth at ICESCO

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    The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat hosted the closing ceremony for the training of the third cohort of “Misk” Foundation youth. This training program spanned 10 weeks across ICESCO’s sectors, centers, and departments, as part of the on-the-job training program offered by the “Misk” Foundation for young individuals from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Initiative is part of the partnership and cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.


    The Ceremony, held today, Friday 29 November 2024, commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. This was followed by a speech by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, who emphasized that the Organization, through its programs, projects, and activities, strives to keep pace with the global developments in knowledge and technology. It also provides training opportunities for young talents to build their capacities and enhance their cognitive potential to shape future leadership.

    He commended the youth of this edition of the Program, the implementation of which was overseen by ICESCO’s Human Capital Department, praising their seriousness and dedication during the training period at the Organization, where they presented a commendable model of Saudi Arabia’s youth.

    In his speech, Mr. Hani bin Hamza Mansi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, stated that the training program reflects ICESCO’s efforts to contribute to youth development. He also highlighted the distinguished partnership between ICESCO, the National Commission, and the “Misk” Foundation, which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030.

    Ms. Asmaa Al-Jasser, Director-General of the Misk Skills Track at “Misk” Foundation, affirmed that the Foundation’s efforts, initiatives, and programs aim to promote education and develop leadership skills to build a better future by empowering youth. She expressed her pride in the promising young talents of the third cohort of the program.

    During the Ceremony, Misk trainees presented proposals and concepts for several innovative programs, projects, and initiatives that they developed during their training at ICESCO. These initiatives focused on areas such as the educational, economic, and social inclusion of individuals with special needs; enhancing communication with media professionals, content creators, and influencers; improving the quality of life for children in remote areas; and bridging the gap between scientific research and the needs of countries and societies. The Event concluded with a performance by the trainees of The Saudi Ardha, showcasing their cultural heritage.

    At the end of the Ceremony, Misk trainees were awarded certificates and commemorative shields for their successful and distinguished completion of the intensive training period at ICESCO.

    High-level symposium at ICESCO headquarters discusses economic opportunities and challenges in the Islamic world

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted at its headquarters in Rabat a high-level symposium on “Economic Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Islamic World,” as part of its reception of a delegation from the Board of Directors; members of the Arab Society for Economic Research; representatives of the Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait, the Egyptian Institute of National Planning, and the Policy Center for the New South in Morocco. The symposium witnessed rich discussions between the participating ambassadors and economic experts and the key speaker Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Society for Economic Research and UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    The symposium, which was held on Thursday evening (28 November 2024), kicked off with a speech by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director General, in which he stressed that the world is going through a period of major instabilities and transformations, and that the Organization’s Member States have real opportunities to benefit from these challenges and transform them into opportunities and invest in them, pointing out that the Islamic world should pool its efforts to serve its supreme interests.

    This was followed by a discussion session moderated by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO Centre for Civilizational Dialogue. During this session Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin reviewed the current economic and developmental situations in the countries of the Islamic world showing the available opportunities for achieving sustainable development through building regional cooperation pathways away from global geopolitical conflicts.

    He stated that economic progress is based on three main factors: providing funding, technological development for its ability to reduce development costs, and behavioral change, which is the most important factor, for the key role it plays in changing negative behaviors that hinder communities and peoples from achieving real growth. When mentioning some pioneering development models in a number of Islamic countries, he highlighted their specificities and their correlations with some transformative factors that cannot be replicated in other countries.

    Afterwards, ICESCO and the Arab Society for Economic Research exchanged commemorative shields.
    At the end of the symposium, ICESCO and the Union of Chambers of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the fields of sustainable development and green economy, socio-economic inclusion of gender equality and youth entrepreneurship, and the promotion of research and development in key industries. The MoU was signed on behalf of ICESCO by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Chambers.

    The delegation toured the galleries of the International Exhibition and Museum of Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, which is currently hosted at ICESCO headquarters, in a tripartite partnership between ICESCO, the Muslim World League, and the Mohammedia League of Scholars.

    Arab-African Candidate for UNESCO Director-General Position Visits ICESCO Headquarters

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    Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Arab-African Candidate for the UNESCO Director-General Position for the 2025-2029 term, began his two-day visit to the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat. Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, received Dr. El-Enany, who will hold a series of meetings with the Organization’s sectors and centers to take stock of its strategy and key initiatives and programs.

    At the outset, Dr. Benarafa conveyed the greetings of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, who is currently outside the Seat Country, and congratulated Dr. El-Enany on receiving the honorary PhD from Paul Valery University, Montpelier, France, as well as his selection by the UN World Tourism Organization as Ambassador of Cultural Tourism, wishing him the best of luck in becoming the next UNESCO Director-General.

    During the meeting, attended by a number of heads of sectors, departments and centers, and Dr. Marwa Mamdouh-Salem, Egyptian Deputy Ambassador to Morocco, Dr. Benarafa reiterated ICESCO’s full support for Dr. Al-Anani, who gained the confidence of the Egyptian government, the Arab-African endorsement, and the support of a large number of countries for his candidacy for the prestigious position.

    For his part, Dr. El-Enany expressed his delight at visiting the headquarters of ICESCO, an organization that has made major strides in invigorating its action in recent years. He also inquired about the nature of cooperation between ICESCO and UNESCO.

    In answer to these questions, Dr. Benarafa highlighted the main axes of ICESCO’s forward-looking vision and strategic orientations, which adopt openness to all in service of the Member States and Muslim communities across the globe. He added that the Organization’s relationship with UNESCO stems from a firm belief in complementarity and the need for joint action in order to achieve the lofty goals for which international organizations were created.


    At the close of the meeting, Dr. Benarafa gifted Dr. El-Enany an ICESCO Shield.

    The visit’s agenda features a series of meetings with heads of sectors, departments and specialized centers to take stock of their working mechanisms and key ongoing initiatives, programs and projects, aimed at supporting the Member States’ efforts to develop education, science and culture.

    ICESCO Director General: Peace education is an investment in a safer, more prosperous future for humanity

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    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that peace education is the best way to find innovative and collaborative solutions to current global challenges such as conflicts, wars and the climate crisis. He added that the first step involves integrating peace education into education systems, noting that ICESCO has implemented many pioneering initiatives in this regard, convinced that peace education is an investment in a safer and more prosperous future for all humanity.

    This statement was part of Dr. Al-Malik’s virtual address delivered on Wednesday 27 November 2024, at the opening of the two-day Global Summit for Peace Education, held by the Global Peace Education Network, in Paris, in cooperation with ICESCO as a strategic partner. The Summit brings together several senior officials and representatives of international institutions concerned with promoting global peace, including Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

    Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s main efforts in the field of peacebuilding, including the Leadership Training in Peace and Security Program (LTIPS), which has so far trained 180 young men and women from 68 countries to become ICESCO Young Peace Ambassadors, building their capacity and leadership skills to participate effectively in peacebuilding efforts in their communities, in line with the Organization’s “360° Peace Approach”.

    He explained that technologies will play a key role in shaping the future, placing everyone under a moral obligation to ensure the responsible use of new technologies, particularly AI, underlining the important role of peace education through the ethical use of technologies in education systems. “In this respect, ICESCO launched the Riyadh Charter on AI Ethics for the Islamic world and held rich discussion sessions on peace and climate change during its participation in COP29,” he added.

    ICESCO Director General concluded his address by affirming that the Organization seeks to promote the values of coexistence, understanding and mutual respect among all, through its Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and stressed ICESCO’s willingness to host the next edition of the Global Summit for Peace Education at its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

    ICESCO Hosts Thinker Ziauddin Sardar and Holds Future Literacy Lab Workshop as Part of its Future Dialogues Series

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    As part of its Future Dialogues series, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the fourth session of the series at its headquarters in Rabat on Monday 25 November 2024. The session featured a lecture titled, “The Power of Foresight in Post-Normal Times,” by renowned thinker Dr. Ziauddin Sardar, a specialist in futures studies, cultural criticism, and Islamic thought. The event also included a training workshop, Future Literacy Lab, aimed at university students, researchers, and those interested in futures studies.


    Dr. Abdellilah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy Director-General, opened the session with a welcoming remark, emphasizing the Series’ role in convening distinguished intellectuals and cultural figures to explore critical future-oriented topics in a cross-cultural context. Dr. Benarafa highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to promote foresight culture in the Islamic world and praised the relevance of the lecture’s theme and its insights into the future.

    In his lecture, Dr. Sardar examined the defining features of the current era, which he described as “post-normal times,” characterized by profound transformations, including the collapse of traditional paradigms and the emergence of new models.


    Following, Dr. Kais Al-Hamami, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Strategic Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, posed several questions to Dr. Sardar regarding global changes and the importance of adopting foresight strategies. Dr. Sardar emphasized that forces of complexity, chaos, and contradiction drive the societal shifts defining “post-normal times,” fostering a climate of uncertainty. He cited examples such as accelerated climate change and groundbreaking technological advancements enabling humans to develop capabilities surpassing their own intelligence.

    Dr. Sardar underscored the necessity of crafting long-term visions and prioritizing educational reform, advocating for the integration of foresight culture into educational systems across the Islamic world. He also called for a balanced approach that equally values technological progress and ethical considerations.

    Additionally, Dr. Sardar addressed the Islamic perspective on the future, stressing the importance of foresight and learning from history. According to Dr. Sardar, many aspects of “post-normal times” are unprecedented in human history, requiring innovative responses. The event concluded with an engaging discussion, during which Dr. Sardar responded to audience questions and comments.

    Subsequently, the Future Literacy Lab workshop, led by specialized experts in foresight, provided participants with practical skills in critical and creative thinking, equipping the next generation with tools to actively engage in shaping the future.

    ICESCO calls on global community to protect Lebanese heritage sites against Israeli aggressions

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) expresses its deep concern over the damage to several key heritage sites in Lebanon as a result of the brutal Israeli aggression. The Organization underscores the need to categorically address all acts of destruction targeting Lebanon’s heritage sites and tackle the ensuing grave dangers.

    In this regard, ICESCO calls for comprehensive and effective international cooperation involving heritage stakeholders, including international organizations and civil society bodies, in a bid to address risks and curb their spread to other heritage sites. The Organization also pledges to allocate its expertise and knowledge to preserve Lebanese historical sites, assess the magnitude of the damage and take immediate measures to ensure their protection.

    Given the significance of cultural heritage as the cornerstone of human identity, ICESCO reiterates its commitment, in cooperation with international and local stakeholders to develop and implement preservation and restoration strategies to safeguard Lebanon’s rich and diverse heritage. It also expresses its readiness to cooperate with international heritage preservation and promotion experts to safeguard cultural treasures to future generations.

    Likewise, ICESCO stresses the need to adopt an international standard approach that compels all parties to work towards protecting heritage sites in conflict and war zones, and raise awareness of the universal value of heritage culture, highlighting the shared responsibility of its protection.

    ICESCO FCC concludes proceedings by adopting financial reports for 2023

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    The Financial Control Committee (FCC) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its annual meeting, on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Organization’s headquarters, by adopting the financial reports submitted by the General Directorate and the Closing Accounts for the Financial Year 2023. In its final report, the Committee commended the professionalism and transparency of these reports.

    The FCC meeting kicked off on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Prior to that, the Committee members met with Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, who welcomed them, highlighting this meeting’s significance in light of the General Directorate’s adoption of transparency and integrity in dealing with the Member States, particularly with regard to the financial aspects, stressing the FCC’s role in developing financial governance at the Organization.

    The FCC is chaired by Mr. Yussuf Ali Najar, representative of the State of Kuwait, and consists of Mr. Abdulaziz Saad Aldabas, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as Rapporteur, and members Mr. Heizrul Bin Ali, representative of Malaysia, Mr. Araz Baghirli, representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mr. Hadji Habib Kébé, representative of the Republic of Senegal.

    Over the course of three days, the Committee met with officials from ICESCO’s General Secretariat for National Commissions and Conferences, Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, Department of Administrative Operations, Department of Financial Operations, and the Office of the Financial Controller. The Meetings discussed reports and reviewed all documents pertaining to ICESCO’s finances and various forms of expenditure.

    At the close of the meeting, the FCC members commended ICESCO’s financial system, praising its transparency, integrity and professionalism with regard to managing the Organization’s resources. They also commended ICESCO’s success in securing extra-budgetary funds to finance its programs and projects.