PARIS: UNESCO and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) have strengthened their institutional partnership through a new agreement covering education, science, artificial intelligence, culture, communication and knowledge sharing.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in Paris on October 7, 2026, by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and ICESCO Director-General Salim M. AlMalik. The agreement aims to expand cooperation between the two organizations and support countries in developing sustainable policies and inclusive approaches to education, science and culture.

Education at the Center

Education is one of the major areas covered by the new partnership.

UNESCO and ICESCO plan to cooperate on strengthening education and higher-education systems, supporting green and digital education, improving teacher and faculty capacity and expanding access to early-childhood education.

The organizations will also explore approaches to reducing school dropout rates and improving the ability of education systems to respond to technological and social changes.

The partnership comes at a time when education systems around the world are adapting to rapid digital transformation and the growing use of artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Key Priority

Artificial intelligence is another major component of the agreement.

The two organizations intend to cooperate on AI ethics, digital transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

They also plan to develop capacity-building programmes, particularly for young people in the Islamic world.

The focus reflects growing international attention on ensuring that AI development is accompanied by appropriate ethical safeguards, human oversight and opportunities for countries with different levels of technological capacity.

UNESCO has already been working internationally on responsible AI in education, emphasizing human agency, equity, inclusion, safety and ethics.

Supporting Science and Innovation

The agreement also creates opportunities for greater cooperation in science and technology.

The organizations will work on innovation, technology transfer and capacity development while supporting implementation of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, which runs from 2024 to 2033.

Water management is another area identified for cooperation, particularly in Africa and countries facing development challenges.

Such initiatives could help countries strengthen scientific institutions and improve their ability to use research and technology to address development challenges.

Protecting Cultural Heritage

Culture forms another important pillar of the partnership.

UNESCO and ICESCO intend to cooperate on protecting cultural rights, promoting cultural diversity and safeguarding endangered and underwater heritage.

The organizations will also address challenges associated with climate change and illicit trafficking in cultural property.

Creative industries and cultural policies are included as additional areas for collaboration.

For countries with rich historical and cultural traditions, such cooperation can support the preservation of heritage while also encouraging cultural exchange between communities.

Promoting Knowledge Across Borders

The agreement places particular emphasis on knowledge dissemination and international exchange.

The organizations believe that stronger institutional cooperation can help countries share expertise, develop better policies and respond collectively to emerging challenges.

Youth capacity building is expected to be an important part of this effort, particularly in areas connected to science, technology and AI.

Building More Inclusive Societies

The partnership also includes cooperation related to social cohesion and peacebuilding.

UNESCO and ICESCO plan to work together on countering disinformation and discrimination while supporting vulnerable communities.

The organizations also intend to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen cooperation between societies with different cultural and historical backgrounds.

A Long-Standing Relationship

The latest agreement builds on a relationship between UNESCO and ICESCO that dates back several decades.

The organizations originally established a general cooperation agreement in 1985, which was subsequently renewed in 2010, 2015 and 2019.

The new memorandum expands that relationship into emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation while maintaining cooperation in traditional fields such as education, science and culture.

Looking Toward the Future

The agreement reflects the changing priorities of international cooperation.

Education, scientific research, digital technology and cultural heritage are increasingly interconnected. Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms and workplaces, while climate change and digital technologies are creating new challenges for cultural preservation and public policy.

By combining their expertise, UNESCO and ICESCO aim to support countries in addressing these challenges through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

The partnership could therefore become an important platform for joint programmes involving education, science, AI, culture and youth development.

For the global Knowledge Hub community, the agreement is significant because it brings together several fields that are shaping the future of human development: education, scientific knowledge, artificial intelligence, culture and international cooperation.