The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is taking part in the 15th session of the General Meeting on Cooperation between the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which kicked off on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the United Nations Office at Geneva, with the high-level participation of representatives of over thirty (30) UN and OIC specialized agencies, funds and programmes.

During the first day of the meeting, which will conclude its proceedings on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the participants reviewed developments in the cooperation between the two Organizations and appraised progress in the implementation of joint activities. The meeting also touched upon means and mechanisms to foster partnership in the fields of science, education, culture, human sciences, the environment and food security, consolidate dialogue among cultures, and promote peace and security among peoples by countering all forms of extremism and discrimination.

Ms. Amira El Fadil, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, Ms. Rime Jirari, Head of the Organizations and Bodies Department in the Sector, and Mr. Salem Al Habsi, Programme Director at the General Secretariat of National Committees and conferences, represented ICESCO at the meeting.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. António Vitorino, Director-General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), received the Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and the Head of the Organizations and Bodies Department in the Sector, at IOM’s headquarters in Geneva, and was briefed on ICESCO’s vision aimed at contributing to the achievement of comprehensive and sustainable development in the Islamic world and beyond. The two parties discussed global challenges and explored prospects for implementing joint programmes and projects in areas of common interest, particularly in building youth and women’s capacities and mitigating the risks of irregular migration.