The delegation included Ibtesam Al Zaabi, Acting Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science; Zahra Al Mulla, Senior Specialist for Specialised Organisations; and Aisha Al Muhairi, International Organisations Specialist.

The delegation was received by Salem Omar Salem, Director of the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, in the presence of the regional office team. The visit began with a welcome for the delegation and an introductory meeting between the two sides.

The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the National Commission and the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah. It also provided an opportunity to learn more about the office's new headquarters and gain a closer understanding of its work, activities, initiatives and programmes, while exploring opportunities to expand cooperation in support of shared objectives in education, science and culture.

The programme included an introductory tour of the regional office's facilities, during which the delegation was briefed on the resources and facilities available at the new headquarters and their role in supporting the office's mission and implementing its programmes and initiatives. The delegation also learned about the institutional working environment and mechanisms for developing and implementing a range of activities and projects.

The visit also featured a cultural hospitality experience reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the countries within the regional office's area of work. A selection of dishes representing different cultural traditions was served, accompanied by a brief introduction to their backgrounds. The experience helped foster an atmosphere of dialogue and communication between the delegation and the office team.

Exploring opportunities for joint initiatives

During the meeting, the regional office gave a brief presentation outlining its areas of work, key programmes and initiatives, as well as its future directions and priorities for the coming period. The presentation also highlighted the office's role in supporting ICESCO's mission and strengthening its presence at the local and regional levels.

The two sides discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, including opportunities to develop institutional cooperation, exchange expertise, and explore areas that could form the basis for joint initiatives and programmes in the coming period, in support of shared objectives in education, science and culture.

Salem Omar Salem said the visit reflected the depth of cooperation and coordination between institutions working in education, science and culture. He noted that the meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange views and ideas on areas of joint work, highlight the regional office's efforts, programmes and initiatives, and explore new avenues for cooperation in the coming period.

He added that the office is committed to building effective institutional partnerships that contribute to the development of high-quality initiatives and the exchange of expertise and knowledge, in support of ICESCO's objectives and mission.

Al Zaabi praised the activities and initiatives of the ICESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, noting that the diversity of its programmes and the quality of their implementation reflect the scope of the office's work and its objectives.

She also commended the fruitful cooperation between the two sides, pointing out that their shared areas of work in education, science and culture offer broad opportunities to strengthen the partnership and exchange expertise and experiences. She stressed the importance of expanding cooperation during the next phase, particularly in areas of mutual interest.

At the conclusion of the visit, Al Zaabi wrote a message in the regional office's visitors' book. The regional office also presented her with a commemorative shield to mark the occasion and in appreciation of the visit and the opportunities it created to strengthen communication and cooperation between the two sides.