The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO in Mali have concluded an agreement to launch the “Project of the Fight against COVID-19 through Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth” in Mali, as part of the ICESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies partnership to support the efforts of 10 African countries to counter the adverse repercussions of the pandemic.

The virtual signing ceremony was held Thursday, April 15, 2021, with the participation of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), and Prof. Doulaye Konate, Minister of National Education, President of the Malian National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, and in the presence of Ms. Ramata Al Mamy Mbaye, Director of the Sector of Human and Social Sciences, at ICESCO, and Prof. Diallo Kadia Maiga, Secretary-General of the Malian National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO.

In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO sustained efforts to support its Member States in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of ICESCO’s new vision, that adopts promoting communication mechanisms with the Member States and identifying their respective needs and priorities.

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 Mali.

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

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

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.

For four decades, Alwaleed Philanthropies has supported and spent more than 15 billion Saudi Riyals (SAR) and carried out more than 1000 projects in over 189 countries that 10 Saudi female members manage, reaching out to more than 1 billion beneficiaries around the world, regardless of gender, race, or religion.