ICESCO unanimously extends Egypt’s chairmanship of General Conference

KAZAN – 13 May 2026: Member states of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has unanimously agreed to extend Egypt’s chairmanship of the organization’s General Conference for a new term.

The member states renewed their trust in Egypt’s chairmanship as part of the 15th session of the conference held in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan.

The session was attended by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, ICESCO Director-General Salim M. Al-Malik, as well as ministers, officials and representatives of member states.

ICESCO is a specialized organization affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), operating in the fields of education, science and culture, with 53 member states.

The General Conference is responsible for setting the organization’s general policies and overseeing its work.

Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdelaziz Konsowa, who serves as president of the ICESCO General Conference, delivered Egypt’s address during the session.

 

Konsowa said Egypt’s future vision is based on confidence in the capabilities of young people as a cornerstone for building more advanced and sustainable societies.

He said Egypt places strong emphasis on supporting education and scientific research, highlighting President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s initiative to offer 100 scholarships to students from across the Islamic world.

The minister added that Egypt has chaired the ICESCO General Conference during a period that witnessed strategic transformation and tangible civilizational impact in the organization’s work.

Konsowa conveyed greetings from El-Sisi to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Minnikhanov, thanking Tatarstan for its hospitality and organization of the event.

He presented a gift from the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture to the president of Tatarstan.