Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) met on August 7 Mr. Raúl Guastavino, Ambassador of Argentina to Morocco, to explore cooperation prospects between the Organization and the country.

During the meeting, held at the Embassy of Argentina in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik underlined the open-door policy in ICESCO’s vision and strategy that seeks to sustain productive partnerships, in service of ICESCO’s Member States and Muslim communities across the globe.

Dr. AlMalik also noted that ICESCO adopted a new regulations charter for Observer States to ensure active participation and sustainable cooperation between both parties. He seized the opportunity to invite Argentina to join ICESCO as an Observer State.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s substantial initiatives, activities, and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the initiatives support the most vulnerable Member States in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

The list of the initiatives includes the “Societies We Want,” which provided humanitarian aids and prevention supplies; and supported young and women entrepreneurs in several states. They also include “ICESCO Digital Home”, which abounds with a large collection of digital, educational, cultural, and outreach contents in various languages.

The DG also mentioned the “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative,” which many countries, international organizations, and civil society institutions joined and supported. He invited Argentina’s institutions and major corporations to also join the coalition.

The Argentinian Ambassador commended ICESCO’s clear-sighted vision and the remarkable diversity of its activities. The Ambassador inquired about the scope of work and the possibility of kick-starting cooperation between the two parties. Ambassador Guastavino reaffirmed the numerous cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Argentina in charge of education, culture, and science.

Mr. Guastavino also noted that Argentina has a large Islamic center and is home to a Muslim community that enjoys equal rights and freedom within the Argentinian society.