Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Speciose Hakizimana, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored avenues for closer cooperation between the two Organizations in areas of common interest.

During the meeting, which was held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programmes and projects currently implemented by ICESCO, in light of its vision and strategic orientations, and cooperation with the competent authorities in the Member States, to ensure inclusive access to quality education for all, reducing school dropout rates, anchoring the values of peace and civilizational dialogue, and encouraging investment in modern technology to achieve sustainable development.

The meeting touched upon the new developments in the existing cooperation between ICESCO and UNICEF and discussed a set of potential joint initiatives in the fields of childhood support and education, training, and empowerment for girls and youth.

For her part, Dr. Hakizimana commended ICESCO’s role in assisting the efforts of Member States in its areas of competence, emphasizing UNICEF’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization in implementing childhood support programmes.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed on holding technical meetings between experts from both Organizations to follow up on the implementation plans of the discussed joint programs.

The meeting saw the attendance of Dr. Barry Koumbou, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Human and Social Sciences Sector, and Ms. Amira EL Fadil, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.