Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) explored with Mr. Julio Glinternick Bitelli, Brazilian Ambassador to Morocco, to explore cooperation opportunities between the Organization and Brazil.

The meeting brought forward the open-door policy in ICESCO’s strategy that sustains productive partnerships to effectively assist the Organization’s Member States and Muslim communities in non-Member States. ICESCO adopted a new regulations charter for Observer States, which ensures the active participation of non-Member States, excluding the right to vote, elaborated Dr. AlMalik. He seized the opportunity to invite Brazil to join ICESCO as an observer.

The DG also commented on the achievements of the last session of the Executive Council, which included the creation of the International Consultative Council. The Council’s members were 16 prominent international personalities, originating, at equal proportions, from Member States and non-Member States. The diversity in the members’ backgrounds will ensure more inclusion and a wider perspective, according to Dr. AlMalik.

The DG highlighted ICESCO’s substantial role among the initiatives, activities, and programs rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic. He reaffirmed that the initiatives support Member States’ efforts to mitigate the impact of the outbreak, noting that ICESCO adopted “Let’s achieve the impossible” as a battle cry throughout the ongoing crisis.

The list of the initiatives includes “ICESCO Digital Home,” and the “Societies We Want.” “Comprehensive Humanitarian Coalition Initiative” also assists to the most vulnerable groups in many countries, particularly in Africa. Many countries, international organizations and donors joined the coalition, added Dr. AlMalik. He then invited Brazil’s institutions and major corporations to join the coalition.

The Brazilian Ambassador commended ICESCO’s new working mechanisms, which placed the Organization at the forefront of development work during the pandemic.

Ambassador Bitelli also reaffirmed his country’s willingness to cooperate with ICESCO, noting that the Brazilian and Islamic civilizations share multiple similarities.