Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), on Monday, August 23, 2021, held a virtual meeting wherein they explored the prospects of cooperation between the two parties in the field of space sciences and their applications, in addition to the provision of scholarships for students and researchers specializing in the development of these sciences in the Islamic world.

During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States in the fields of education, science, and culture, and highlighted the main axes of the Organization’s new vision and strategy of action, based on an open-door policy, building the capacities of young people in various fields to assume their role in the development of their societies, and consolidating the values of coexistence, dialogue and peace.

The meeting touched upon the importance of the accession of ICESCO Member States to UNOOSA, which helps young people to study space sciences. Such accession would develop cooperation between the two parties to capitalize on space science technologies and applications to achieve sustainable development and promote peace.

The two parties agreed to strengthen their cooperation, hold training workshops in space sciences, form a joint working group to develop joint action mechanisms, examine the areas of cooperation, and conduct studies to raise awareness of the importance of these sciences and their applications in the many Member States.

The two parties also reaffirmed their willingness to cooperate in the organization of conferences and forums. Dr. AlMalik extended an invitation to Ms. Di Pippo to take part in ICESCO major international conference on space sciences and their applications, due to be held in November 2021, which she accepted.