Minister of Higher Education and President of the ICESCO General Conference Opens the 15th General Conference of the Organization
Minister of Higher Education Delivers Egypt’s Address at the Opening Session of the 15th General Conference in Kazan
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa: Investing in Knowledge, Innovation, and Youth Empowerment Represents a Fundamental Pillar for Building a Sustainable Future
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of the General Conference of Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), delivered the address of the Arab Republic of Egypt during the opening session of the 15th General Conference of ICESCO, held in the city of Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation on May 13–14, 2026. The event was attended by Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, along with a number of ministers, officials, and representatives of member states.
During the opening session, the President of Tatarstan welcomed the distinguished gathering of ministers, officials, and representatives of member states, expressing his country’s pride in hosting this important event in Kazan.
At the beginning of his speech, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa conveyed the greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and to Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan. He wished the Republic of Tatarstan continued success in organizing the 15th General Conference of ICESCO, the Kazan International Economic Forum, and the celebrations marking Kazan’s designation as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World. He also expressed appreciation to the Republic of Tatarstan for its warm reception, generous hospitality, and excellent organization.
The Minister also presented the gift of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture to the President of Tatarstan.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa extended his sincere congratulations to Dr. Salim M. AlMalik on his re-election as Director-General of ICESCO, following the approval by the General Conference of the Executive Council’s decision proposed by Egypt and unanimously endorsed by member states. He praised the organization’s development journey and the achievements it has accomplished over recent years, including the institutional and strategic progress that has strengthened its status as one of the leading international organizations in the fields of education, science, culture, and innovation.
The Minister affirmed that the Arab Republic of Egypt bases its vision for the future on faith in the capabilities of youth, considering them the cornerstone for building more advanced and sustainable societies. He noted that the slogan “Be Ready” has, since the first day of Egypt’s presidency of the General Conference, represented a clear vision rooted in the belief that the current era is the era of youth and innovation.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa also highlighted the launch by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in cooperation with ICESCO, of the “Year of Youth” initiative in 2023, aimed at supporting and empowering youth and preparing them for the future. He explained that the “Be Ready” initiative, under the slogan “One Million Qualified Innovators,” serves as a bridge to transfer the energies of young people toward the future by equipping them with modern skills and knowledge that enable them to compete in the global labor market and strengthen their capacity for innovation and future-making.
The Minister emphasized that innovation has become an imperative imposed by the nature of the contemporary world and its rapidly evolving challenges, making it essential for educational and research institutions to adopt and lead a culture of innovation. He praised the distinguished partnership between Egypt and ICESCO in this field.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa also commended ICESCO’s accreditation by the Global Innovation Institute, stressing that this achievement motivated the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to follow the same path, contributing to the Ministry’s attainment of the “Innovative Government Organization” accreditation, making it the first governmental entity specialized in higher education and scientific research worldwide to receive this international accreditation.
He further noted that the objective behind obtaining this accreditation extends beyond institutional excellence, aiming instead to transform institutions into centers of expertise capable of transferring the culture of innovation to other institutions and enhancing innovation governance at the local, regional, and international levels.
The Minister pointed out that the current global landscape makes support for scientific research and the advancement of science a strategic priority that cannot be overlooked. He emphasized that Islamic civilization possesses a rich scientific and cultural heritage that has significantly contributed to the progress of humanity and continues to inspire the world to this day.
He added that Egypt places great importance on supporting education and scientific research, stemming from its awareness of this civilizational heritage and its responsibility toward the Islamic world. In this regard, he referred to the initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to offer 100 scholarships to students from Islamic countries in support of scientific and cultural cooperation and the preparation of future generations capable of shaping the future.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa also highlighted the ongoing cooperation with ICESCO to establish an office in Cairo dedicated to nurturing talented individuals and supporting innovation, to serve as a beacon for the Islamic world in discovering talent and developing creative capabilities. He stressed the importance of supporting gifted individuals, considering them capable of driving major transformations and shaping a more prosperous and stable future.
The Minister praised ICESCO’s strategic vision and its ambitious orientations and forward-looking approach that respond to rapid global transformations and strengthen the organization’s ability to continue its developmental and civilizational role in serving the Islamic world.
At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa affirmed that the Arab Republic of Egypt takes pride in chairing the ICESCO General Conference during the previous period, which witnessed a strategic leap and a tangible civilizational impact on the organization’s work. He wished success for the proceedings of the 15th General Conference.
It is worth noting that Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa’s participation in the 15th General Conference of ICESCO comes within the framework of the Arab Republic of Egypt’s presidency of the organization’s General Conference. The current session discusses several issues related to developing the organization’s institutional work mechanisms and enhancing cooperation among member states in the fields of higher education, scientific research, innovation, and youth empowerment, in addition to exploring ways to support joint initiatives that link education and science with sustainable development priorities and intercultural dialogue. The visit also includes several bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening academic and research cooperation between Egyptian universities and their counterparts in the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation.
