Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, received Ms. Fatma Samoura, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). The meeting explored ways to develop cooperation between ICESCO and FIFA in areas of common interest, particularly physical education, and consolidate the values ​​of coexistence and peace through sport and culture.

At the outset of the meeting, which also brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, and some of the heads of sector and advisors at ICESCO, Dr. Al-Malik welcomed Ms. Samoura and reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to establish fruitful and productive cooperation with FIFA, adding that the planned agreement will achieve many results as it focuses on areas of mutual interest.

ICESCO DG noted that the partnership with FIFA is in line with the Organization’s new vision, which adopts an open-door policy for the benefit of its Member States, foresight, innovative thinking, and strengthening the roles of youth and women to contribute to the sustainable development of their countries.

The meeting reviewed ICESCO’s salient programs, including the Year of Women 2021, youth training programs on leadership for peace and security, leadership incubators, and support for innovation and investment in technology development in the fields of education and culture.

Ms. Samoura expressed her happiness at visiting ICESCO and meeting its DG and leaders, stressing that the presentation of the Organization’s efforts to support youth and women and leadership training is fully consistent with FIFA’s new vision, which is based on using the power of football to send positive messages of peace and coexistence as football is a common language for all peoples of the world, in schools, refugee camps and everywhere.

At the close of the meeting, Ms. Samoura presented Dr. AlMalik with a copy of the official football of the upcoming Olympic Games, which will kick off in July 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.

ICESCO and FIFA had co-produced a video, wherein world football stars hail the work of health staff in appreciation of their heroic role in the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.