On October 17th of every year, the world celebrates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which aims to recognize the efforts and struggles of those living in poverty, join global efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty, which affects a large proportion of the world’s population, and ensure the participation of people living in poverty in the decisions that affect their lives and communities to build a better future.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) seizes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which is celebrated this year under the slogan “Dignity for All”, to call for the promotion of initiatives and programmes aimed at ensuring the socio-economic rehabilitation of vulnerable groups through the participation of the local community in the implementation of public policies and the strategies on poverty eradication in order to preserve the dignity and well-being of all as human dignity is not only a basic right, it is also the basis for all other fundamental rights.

Besides, ICESCO warns of the seriousness of the recent statistics on poverty worldwide. According to the United Nations, about 1.3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty, a number which includes a large proportion of children, youth and women of all ages. The statistics of the United Nations Development Programme indicate that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the proportion of poor people in the world, in addition to climate change, breach of peace and stability, migration, violence and discrimination against women, all of which contribute to exacerbating socio-economic vulnerability.

In this context, ICESCO supports the efforts of its Member States to combat and eradicate poverty through its strategy and programmes, which aim at strengthening the educational systems, ensuring quality, inclusive and equitable education for all groups, qualifying youth and women through innovation and entrepreneurship, and building their capacities in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, manufacturing hygiene product, and the preservation and valorization of cultural heritage.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICESCO launched a large number of pioneering and innovative programmes and initiatives, which turned socio-economic rehabilitation into a powerful lever to eradicate poverty and achieve equality in a number of its neediest Member States.