Category: News

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that the Republic of Azerbaijan has showcased outstanding organizational abilities at the opening of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), in Baku, equipped by its exceptional human and technical resources to ensure a resounding success for this major event.

Dr. AlMalik made this statement at a televised interview with Ms. Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center, on Monday, November 11, 2024, following the COP 29 opening, the world’s largest environment and climate change event.

Dr. AlMalik maintained that Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 adds to the Islamic world’s track record in climate action, marking the third consecutive COP hosted by an ICESCO Member State, following Egypt and the UAE. This continuity, he added, demonstrates ICESCO Member States’ commitment to intensifying climate action and promoting sustainable development in the region.

Regarding ICESCO’s participation in the COP29 proceedings, the Director-General noted that during the preparation period, the Organization has worked to ensure strong participation from the countries of the Islamic world, alongside representatives from ICESCO’s global partner organizations and institutions. He further explained that throughout the Conference’s sessions and various activities, ICESCO will work to help build international consensus around the ambitious initiatives proposed by the COP Presidency. This includes new funds, commitments, and key declarations regarding climate action efforts.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik stated that ICESCO will hold a major event on promoting water security, biodiversity and peace through innovation and earth observation to highlight the key role of scientific innovation and technology in addressing today’s pressing environmental challenges. He also noted that ICESCO’s pavilion at the Blue Zone will feature a number of symposiums and panels.

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan, and Ms. Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center, as well as a number of high-level Azerbaijani figures visiting ICESCO’s pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29), which kicked off on Monday (11 November 2024) and continues until 22 November, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

During the visit, which featured Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 President, and Mr. Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s major activities scheduled in the Blue Zone, which include about 50 diverse activities to discuss the implications of climate change on education, science and culture, in addition to organizing a number of panel discussions in cooperation with international organizations and institutions on food security, media and its role in enhancing efforts to address climate change.

He also expressed his appreciation for the outstanding partnership between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, which manifests in the implementation of initiatives, programs and projects generously supported by H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady, First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

For her part, Ms. Leyla Aliyeva commended ICESCO’s activity programme during the COP, lauding the Organization’s roles in contributing to the development of education, science and culture in the Islamic world, especially its efforts and initiatives in the field of environmental protection and facing climate change challenges.

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.

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.

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.

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.