The 21st meeting of the secretaries-general of the Arab National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture with three International Organizations (the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS)) concluded its activities today, Thursday, October 21, 2021. The meeting reviewed projects and joint committee action between the three Organizations explored coordination priorities between the Organizations and the National Commissions before the 41st session of UNESCO’s General Conference and exchanged views on the importance of cooperation between the Organizations and the National Commissions to achieve maximum benefit from programs and activities.

The meeting is part of the 6th Forum of Partnership between the Organizations (ICESCO, ALECSO, and ABEGS), which was held yesterday under the title “Organizations’ Post-Covid 19 Vision and Plans to Confront Emergencies and Crises” with the participation of the directors of the three Organizations and the Secretaries-General of the Arab National Commissions.

Today’s meeting kicked off with a speech by Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General (DG) of ALECSO, in which he mentioned ALECSO’s initiatives to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic by developing remote communication mechanisms. He also stated that this meeting constitutes a new step to continue coordination between the Organizations and strengthen cooperation and partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals in the fields of education, science and culture.

In his speech, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, DG of ICESCO, commended the efforts made by the Secretaries-General of the National Commissions for Education, Science and Culture to implement more programs and projects despite the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and the constraints of remote work and direct communication. He also commended the National Commissions’ spirit of sacrifice, commitment to achievement and ambition to excel. 

ICESCO DG highlighted the importance of the meeting to build strategic visions for the future of the three Organizations’ fields of competence, especially the field of education. He also reaffirmed ICESCO’s openness to the National Commissions’ proposals and modern visions aimed to develop the Organization’s action plans, strategies and objectives, to help enhance its performance and achievements.

In his speech, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Assimi, ABEGS’ DG, underlined the great importance that the Bureau attaches to data, stressing the need to provide the Organizations with data and forms to support joint action, enhance communication and prepare accurate reports on the fields of education to highlight Member States’ efforts.

In addition, the Secretaries-General of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture in the Arab countries reviewed the most prominent programs that were implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the field of developing the educational process and ensuring its continuity through digitization and the integration of modern technology.

At the end of the meeting, the Arab National Commissions Secretaries received honorary certificates in appreciation of their efforts in implementing programs and activities in their countries.