Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Eliphas Chinyonga, Chargé d’Affaires of Zambia in Morocco. The two parties explored the prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and Zambia in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held today, May 04, 2021, at ICESCO headquarters, in Rabat, with the participation of some of the heads of ICESCO’s sectors, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that the Organization’s action strategy adopts an open-door policy with all parties, including non-Member States, to ensure cooperation and partnership for the benefit of the Member States and Muslim communities around the globe. The DG also pointed out that ICESCO has amended its Charter to allow non-Member States to join the Organization on a Observer Status.

Dr. AlMalik indicated that the Organization gives special priority to the African Member States and has provided support for many of them during the COVID-19 pandemic, in cooperation with donor agencies and institutions, to enhance their efforts in facing the negative repercussions of the pandemic.

The meeting also touched upon ICESCO’s efforts in various fields, including strategic foresight and intercivilizational and intercultural dialogue to promote the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence.  Furthermore, the Organization also proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Women, in recognition of their roles during the pandemic as well as training young people on leadership skills and building their capabilities to meet future requirements.

For his part, Mr. Eliphas Chinyonga praised the pivotal roles of ICESCO in its areas of competence, indicating that he was keen to visit the Organization and discover its programmes and activities in the upcoming period, a few weeks after he started his mission as the Chargé d’Affaires of Zambia in Morocco, on the beginning of March 2021.

Mr. Chinyonga expressed his keenness to build cooperation between Zambia and ICESCO in its fields of action and with the countries of the Islamic world through the Organization given that the Muslim community in Zambia is growing significantly. He also stressed his interest in participating in the future activities of ICESCO.