The ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah welcomed a delegation from the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional cooperation, advance strategic partnerships, and explore opportunities for closer coordination in areas of mutual interest.
The delegation was led by Ms. Ibtisam Al Zaabi, Acting Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and included Ms. Zahraa Al Mulla, Senior Specialist for Specialized Organizations, and Ms. Aisha Al Muhairi, International Organizations Specialist.
The delegation was received by H.E. Salim Omar Salim, Director of the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, in the presence of the Regional Office team. The visit began with an official welcome and an introductory exchange between both sides.
The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and coordination between the UAE National Commission and the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah. It also enabled the delegation to gain a broader understanding of the Office’s new premises, its areas of work, programmes, initiatives, and activities, while exploring opportunities to expand collaboration in support of shared priorities across education, science, and culture. As part of the programme, the delegation was taken on a guided tour of the Regional Office’s facilities, where members were introduced to the Office’s institutional capabilities and the role of its various facilities in supporting its mission and delivering its programmes and initiatives. The tour also provided an overview of the Office’s working environment and its approach to developing and implementing activities and projects.
The visit also featured a cultural hospitality experience celebrating the diversity of the countries within the Regional Office’s geographic scope. A selection of dishes representing different cultural traditions was presented, accompanied by brief introductions to their cultural significance. The experience provided an informal setting that further encouraged dialogue and engagement between the delegation and the Regional Office team.
During the meeting, the Regional Office delivered a presentation highlighting its key areas of work, major programmes and initiatives, as well as its future priorities and strategic direction. The presentation also outlined the Office’s role in advancing ICESCO’s mission and strengthening the Organization’s presence and impact at both the local and regional levels.
Discussions between the two sides addressed several areas of mutual interest, including opportunities to enhance institutional cooperation, exchange expertise and knowledge, and identify potential areas for future joint programmes and initiatives. Emphasis was placed on opportunities that could contribute to shared objectives in the fields of education, science, and culture.
Commenting on the visit, H.E. Salim Omar Salim emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and coordination among institutions working across education, science, and culture. He noted that the meeting provided a valuable platform for exchanging perspectives and ideas, introducing the delegation to the Regional Office’s programmes and initiatives, and identifying new avenues for future collaboration.
He further highlighted the Regional Office’s commitment to building effective institutional partnerships that contribute to the development of impactful initiatives and facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge in support of ICESCO’s mission and strategic objectives.
For her part, Ms. Ibtisam Al Zaabi commended the range of activities and initiatives undertaken by the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, noting that the diversity of its programmes and the quality of their implementation reflect the breadth of the Office’s mandate and objectives.
She also welcomed the productive cooperation between the two sides, highlighting the significant potential for further collaboration across education, science, and culture. H.E. Al Zaabi underscored the value of strengthening the exchange of expertise and experiences and expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest during the coming period.
At the conclusion of the visit, Ms. Ibtisam Al Zaabi signed the Regional Office’s guestbook, marking the occasion with a message commemorating her visit. The Regional Office also presented her with a commemorative token in appreciation of the visit and its contribution to strengthening communication and cooperation between both sides.