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    Category: News

    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.

    ICESCO Deputy Director-General Honored at the Samaâ Tassaout Forum for Culture and Sufi Arts in Marrakech

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    Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the 7th Samaâ Tassaout Forum for Sufi Culture and Arts. Organized by Al Kawtar Association for Madih and Samaâ, and Heritage Preservation. The Forum is held under the patronage of Morocco’s Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Communication, and the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council. Spanning over the period of 21 – 23 November 2024, the Event is part of celebrating Marrakech as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024.

    The Session, titled “Aesthetics and Irfan in the Literary Projects of Abdelilah Benarafa,” took place on Thursday 21 November 2024, at the Faculty of Arabic Language at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech. It featured a distinguished audience of writers, critics, and researchers who presented various academic and critical papers on Dr. Benarafa’s contributions. The discussions highlighted his role in reshaping the Arabic narrative structures and his contributing an intellectual and aesthetic experience to the art of storytelling. The Session also included an open dialogue between Dr. Benarafa and the attendees.

    At the conclusion of the Session, the director of the Samaâ Tassaoutt Forum presented Dr. Benarafa with an honorary shield.

    The 7th Forum also includes a wide array of cultural and artistic activities, including Samaâ and Madih sessions, as well as spiritual evenings, featuring prominent artists and musical ensembles from across the Arab world.

    Launch of Arabic version of “Shusha: Sacred City” Book at ICESCO Pavilion Cop 29

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the launch ceremony of the Arabic version of the book “Shusha: Sacred City”, in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, today, Wednesday (November 20, 2024). The translation was published by IRS Heritage Journal with the support of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and the “Al Basha Holding Company, as part of the activities of Shusha capital of culture in the Islamic world celebrated this year within the framework of ICESCO program for capitals of culture in the Islamic world.

    In his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Salim AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, stated that the book tells the history of the ancient city of Shusha since its founding by Panah Ali Khan. It is designed to value the historical heritage of the city and provide an opportunity for readers in the Arab world to learn about history, traditions, culture and the art of the city.

    He expressed ICESCO’s pride in the patronage of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for the activities and programs of the Organization at the national level, especially the celebration of Shusha capital of culture, praising the efforts and successes achieved by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, presided by Azerbaijani First Lady, First Vice-President, ICESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, in restoring and modernizing the city.

    For his part, Mr. Adil Gabil Oglu Karimli, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, highlighted the cultural and artistic wealth that has characterized the city over centuries, pointing out that the Ministry is working to implement several programs to preserve the spirit of the city.

    Mr. Aydin Karimov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, confirmed that the city continues to develop through a combination of heritage and modernity, to become a place where the visitor can notice the efforts made to preserve the city’s rich heritage along with its transformation into a vibrant cultural capital.

    In his turn, Mr. Soltan Mammadov, Head of the Department of International Relations at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, said that the book highlights the cultural values of the Azerbaijani people and that it is an example of the fruitful cooperation between the institutions concerned with heritage.

    The ceremony concluded with an intervention by Mr. Musa Marjanli, editor-in-chief of the “IRS Heritage Journal”, in which he confirmed that Shusha mirrors the Islamic identity of Azerbaijan, which is clearly seen in the historical monuments that are scattered in the ancient city.

    ICESCO and Azerbaijan discuss cooperation to support development of educational fields and green education in Islamic world

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    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and together they discussed the prospects for the Republic of Azerbaijan to provide support for the educational systems in the countries of the Islamic world most in need, particularly by providing scholarships to young people in various fields and contributing to the development of green education in these countries.

    The meeting was held at the Ministry’s headquarters, as part of the Director-General’s visit to Baku as head of ICESCO’s delegation to COP29, where the Organization is actively taking part in the proceedings with this key event, through the activities of its pavilion in the Blue Zone. During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik commended the special cooperation relations between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, in reflection of H.E. President Ilham Aliyev’s keenness to support the Organization’s initiatives and programs for the benefit of the Islamic world.

    The Director-General also commended the success of ICESCO’s Second Ministerial Conference on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), held in cooperation between ICESCO and the Azerbaijani Ministry of Science and Education, in May 2024, expressing his keenness to develop cooperation relations with the Ministry to implement more initiatives and programs for the benefit of the Islamic world, especially African countries.


    For his part, Mr. Amrullayev commended ICESCO’s roles in developing education and scientific research in the Islamic world, stating that the Ministry is looking forward to developing cooperation relations with ICESCO.
    The two parties discussed cooperation on a number of projects including providing technical support to ICESCO Member States to join the PISA Programme, providing a number of scholarships for young people, funding exchange programs for faculty members in the Member States’ universities, and organizing a regional workshop on greening education.

    They also agreed that ICESCO will submit a number of initiatives and programs to support the countries of the Islamic world most in need, in the areas discussed, to later on agree on implementation measures.
    The meeting was attended from ICESCO by Ms. Hedy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation, and Mr. Musallim Afandiyev, Expert at the Sector.

    At High-Level COP29 Meeting: ICESCO Urges Fair Policies for Climate Action Funding

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    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), highlighted the complex global landscape where humanity’s interests and intentions are intricately intertwined, particularly amidst unprecedented climate transformations. Dr. AlMalik emphasized the critical imperative of implementing policies predicated on principles of justice, equality, and equitable distribution of environmental protection funding while advocating for the exchange of innovative and successful climate action strategies and practices. Notably, Dr. AlMalik underscored the paramount significance of generating substantive, forward-looking outcomes from COP29 in Azerbaijan that genuinely reflect the international community’s collective aspirations.

    Dr. AlMalik delivered these remarks on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, during a high-level COP29 meeting, convened in Baku, Azerbaijan. This pivotal three-day meeting is a continuation of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit. The gathering comprises statements from representatives of States Parties to the Convention and heads of international climate action organizations. Deliberations are strategically focused on comprehensive efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, evaluating the progress achieved toward realizing the targets of the Paris Agreement, and exploring the potential for establishing a new collaborative funding target.

    Dr. AlMalik added that as borders, environments, and atmospheres grow increasingly interconnected, environmental and climate impacts affect all members of society equally. This shared vulnerability highlights the necessity of abandoning elf-serving behaviors that prioritize narrow interests over the greater good of humanity.

    In concluding, Dr. AlMalik extended heartfelt congratulations to Azerbaijan for its exceptional organization of COP29 in Baku. This pivotal global summit has convened preeminent climate action leaders and relevant institutional stakeholders, reigniting collective optimism for achieving a meaningful consensus on ambitious climate targets and the strategic pathways to their realization.

    Distinguished Participation of ICESCO Delegation in the 9th Knowledge Summit 2024 in Dubai

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    A delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the 9th edition of the Knowledge Summit 2024, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation on November 18–19, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Summit, held under the theme “Future Skills and AI Economy,” honored ICESCO’s delegation for its outstanding participation, which included a comprehensive discussion on the importance of the Knowledge Index, panel sessions on ICESCO’s collaborative learning acceleration, and meetings with prominent Summit participants.

    ICESCO’s delegation was led by Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Head of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and included Dr. Nidal Abu Zuhri, Director of Administrative Operations, Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Head of the Office of Director-General, along with other staff members.

    The Delegation took part in extensive discussions on the importance of the Global Knowledge Index. The meeting attended by Dr. Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor and Project Manager, Knowledge Project, UNDP, and several National Commission secretaries and representatives of ICESCO Member States. Dr. Jamal Bin Huwaireb emphasized ICESCO’s strategic partnership in advancing knowledge-based efforts and its role in supporting the Member States to improve their performance in international indices. Additionally, Dr. Salim Al Habsi highlighted ICESCO’s initiatives to strengthen communication and assist Member States in enhancing knowledge efficiency. Furthermore, representatives of National Commissions shared their experiences in collecting data for the Global Knowledge Index and the main challenges they faced.

    The meeting also discussed a proposal to launch the “Knowledge Experts” platform to coordinate Member States’ efforts in providing accurate data to meet international organizations’ needs and strengthen knowledge partnerships.

    As part of the Summit’s activities, ICESCO employees who were recognized as winners of the FutureSkills4All Program, Oumaima Bouhaddioui, Abdulnassir Anggawi, Ikram El Guerrab, and Taqwa Al Ali, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to develop staff capabilities. Dr. Nidal Abu Zuhri reiterated ICESCO’s commitment to advancing technical and creative skills among its staff through innovative training programs.

    On the sidelines of the Summit, ICESCO’s delegation met with Dr. Andrew Yan-Tak Ng, renowned computer scientist and founder of DeepLearning.AI. They explored opportunities for collaboration between ICESCO and the platform to develop training programs and innovative technologies that empower youth and support digital transformation across the Islamic world.

    ICESCO Reaffirms Support for Initiatives Integrating Culture into Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability

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    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reiterated the Organization’s commitment to supporting initiatives that integrate culture into efforts to combat the impacts of climate change and achieve environmental sustainability. He emphasized that successfully addressing the climate crisis requires a transformation in societal behavior, values, and collective awareness, with culture playing a pivotal role in fostering enlightened behavior grounded in ethical values.

    Dr. AlMalik made these remarks on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, during a high-level panel discussion at COP29 titled “Culture for Climate: Engaging Youth to Drive Change in Practices.” The Event was co-organized by ICESCO, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA) Public Association, and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture. It featured prominent participants, including Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, President of Petra National Trust, Ms. Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director-General of ICCROM, and several young climate leaders.

    Dr. AlMalik praised Azerbaijan’s leading initiative, “Culture for Climate,” dubbing it a testament to the central role of culture in addressing climate change by embedding environmental ethics into cultural and artistic practices. He noted that the initiative represents a serious call for collaborative solutions, utilizing creativity and the arts to promote sustainable lifestyles and foster cultural projects that connect sustainability with ethical behavior.

    He further highlighted that culture is a key factor in supporting efforts to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, given its significant role in shaping communities’ perspectives on the environment. He underscored the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility in young people, encouraging their active participation, and fostering innovative ideas to bolster climate action and disseminate sustainable practices within societies.

    ICESCO and IDEA Sign Cooperation Agreement

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    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the International Dialogue for Environmental Action Association (IDEA) signed an agreement to cooperate in the fields of combating climate change, promoting environmental protection, enhancing food and water security, supporting sustainable development efforts in the Islamic world and encouraging youth participation in climate-related actions.

    The agreement was signed on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, by Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Head of IDEA, at the Azerbaijan Pavilion in the Blue Zone, at COP29, in Baku.

    The agreement provides for strengthening cooperation between ICESCO and the Association in implementing a set of programs, initiatives, workshops and public awareness campaigns in sustainable development and environmental protection in ICESCO Member States. This also includes establishing partnerships to combat land degradation, strengthen food and water security, encourage youth engagement in efforts to raise awareness of sustainable environmental practices, and support the publication of the findings of ICESCO’s scientific report on the “Best Practices for Green Transformation in the Islamic World.”

    International Ministers and Officials Participate in Discussion Sessions at ICESCO’s Pavilion at COP29

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    Today, Monday, 18 November, 2024, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted high-level discussion sessions. Ministers and senior international officials gathered as part of the Pavilion’s eighth-day activities, centered around the theme “Energy, Peace, Relief, and Recovery.” The Event included the announcement of CESCO’s strategy for integrating agricultural heritage with modern practices to promote sustainable development and the launch of ICESCO’s Framework “Greening Education in the Islamic World”.

    In the discussion titled “Heritage Development for a Sustainable Future: Integrating Agriculture, Culture, and Climate Adaptation,” Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, unveiled the Organization’s strategy to integrate agricultural heritage with contemporary practices, in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, he highlighted the strategy as a forward-looking approach aimed at preserving rich agricultural knowledge and leveraging it for sustainable development.

    In his remarks, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Majnun Mammadov, presented his country’s experience as a model in blending traditional practices with the latest scientific solutions to build a sustainable future. Additionally, Dr. Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of FAO, provided an overview of the latter’s Agricultural Heritage Systems program.

    The Pavilion’s activities also included a youth-oriented session titled “Young Climate Champions: ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors,” with the participation of Dr. AlMalik; Dr. Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs; Mr. Adil Çalışkan, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services in Türkiye; as well as a group of ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassadors and youth climate leaders.

    Another high-level session titled “Greening Education: From Policy to Implementation,” moderated by Dr. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of Education Sector at ICESCO, marked the announcement of the “ICESCO Framework for Greening Education in the Islamic World,” developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. The Framework aims to incorporate climate science education, along with the social, economic, and behavioral aspects of climate justice, into educational systems across the Islamic world.