The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Senegalese National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture have signed an agreement to launch the Project “Countering COVID-19 Effects through Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship among Women and Youth” in Senegal, in partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies to help 10 African countries fight the adverse repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual signing ceremony took place today in the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, and Mr. Mamadou Talla, Minister of National Education and President of the Senegalese National Commission.

In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reaffirmed that ICESCO will continue supporting its Member States in addressing the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure is part of ICESCO’s new vision that adopts more communication with countries to identify their respective needs and priorities and thus design and implement relevant programs and projects.

The DG expressed his sincere thanks and deep appreciation to ICESCO’s permanent partner, Alwaleed Philanthropies, whose Board of Directors is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, for its generous support to ICESCO’s humanitarian and social initiatives to assist 10 African countries, including Senegal.

Mr. Talla commended ICESCO’s excellent work, in particular the initiatives, programs, and activities the Organization launched and implemented during COVID-19, aimed at strengthening the efforts of Member States to address the negative impacts of the pandemic. Mr. Talla also appreciated Alwaleed Philanthropies’ assistance to Senegal through its partnership with ICESCO.

At the end of the ceremony, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation phases of the project. The aim is to develop a sense of innovation and entrepreneurship among women and youth in Senegal and support the private sector, entrepreneurs, and small enterprises.

For four decades, the Foundation has spent more than SAR 15 billion and carried out thousands of projects in over 189 countries. Ten Saudi female members manage the projects, benefiting more than one billion people around the world, regardless of gender, race, or religion. Alwaleed Philanthropies collaborates with a range of philanthropic, governmental, and educational organizations to combat poverty, empower women and youth, develop communities, provide disaster relief, and create cultural understanding through education. The goal is to build bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant, and accepting world.