OIC: Education is Force for Ensuring Prosperous Future

OIC Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher, in his address at the 3rd ICESCO Conference of Ministers of Education in Muscat, said that OIC and its Member States were committed to ensuring equitable access to quality education. He delivered the statement on behalf of Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha.

Ambassador Aftab Khokher said that OIC's initiatives, particularly the OIC Educational Exchange Programme, were aimed at advancing education throughout the Muslim world. He emphasized on the critical role of education in promoting peace, progress, and prosperity. He highlighted the OIC's initiatives, including the OIC Educational Exchange Programme, which were aimed at promoting collaboration and building partnerships among Member States in the fields of Education, Higher Education and Research.

Ambassador Khokher praised the leadership of H.E. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibaniya, Minister of Education of the Sultanate of Oman, and acknowledged the significant contributions of ICESCO, under the guidance of Dr. Salim Bin Mohamed AlMalik, in enhancing the quality of education across OIC Member States. He also stressed the importance of building partnerships with key OIC institutions to create greater opportunities for youth across the Muslim world.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Ambassador Khokher held bilateral meetings with Ministers of Education and Heads of Delegations from various Member States and international and regional organisations. These discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, advancing digital transformation, and addressing the pressing challenges of educational inequality, particularly in the wake of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts.

The Conference was jointly organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. The theme of the Conference was "Beyond Transforming Education Summit: From Commitment to Action."

The Conference concluded with the adoption of the "Declaration of Oman," a strategic document outlining steps to translate the commitments made during the Transforming Education Summit into actionable outcomes. The Declaration calls for enhanced collaboration among OIC Member States, the private sector, and international partners to mobilize resources, invest in technology, and promote inclusivity in education systems across the Islamic world.