Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, will host a delegation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) tomorrow to implement the “Bridges of Civilisation” program during the period from August 25 to 28 in the Dhofar Governorate. The program aims to introduce the governorate to its rich cultural, heritage, and developmental assets, and to strengthen cooperation between the organisation and the Sultanate of Oman to promote intercultural dialogue, cultural diplomacy, and to solidify the partnership between the organization and its member states and national committees.This visit aimed to highlight the governorate's rich cultural, historical, and developmental assets, and to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Sultanate of Oman in promoting intercultural dialogue and cultural diplomacy. It also aimed to enhance collaboration between ICESCO, its member organizations, and their national committees.The visit served as a pilot for the program's vision, transforming cultural studies from mere field visits into platforms for intercultural dialogue and local engagement. This initiative leveraged ICESCO's expertise and its close ties with national organizations, fostering a deeper understanding of their cultural significance, national functions, and developmental initiatives. It also explored new opportunities for collaboration and partnership.The experience of ICESCO's vision aims to transform our cultural studies from mere field visits into platforms for intercultural dialogue and local communication," which appears to be a separate, unrelated statement and has been omitted from the translation. The program includes a few visits and meetings that highlight the unique aspects of history and cultural sites, as well as contributing to a number of creative and developmental projects. It also explores local connections within the culture and heritage sectors, and community engagement in cultural and developmental progress. Furthermore, it provides a shared space for meetings and collaboration among stakeholders in the heritage, tourism, cultural, and development fields. This includes participation in exchanges and shared experiences, and oversight of various areas between ISESCO, the national institution in the Sultanate of Oman, and its programs, as well as the priorities and developmental and cultural needs of member states. Omar bin Salem Al Abdul Salam, Assistant Director of International Organizations at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated: “Hosting the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) Day within the ‘Bridges of Civilisation’ program in Dhofar Governorate comes as part of strengthening local cooperation between the organization and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. The Ministry is committed to ongoing engagement and coordination with participating organizations, including those within its areas of expertise, such as administration and knowledge.”He explained that the visit presents an opportunity to enhance direct communication channels with ICESCO, highlight the Ministry’s expertise and national trade in areas of preferred rights, and explore opportunities for cooperation that can be developed through the joint program framework, encompassing the organization’s specializations and the Sultanate of Oman’s priorities. Since the “Bridges of Civilisation” program provides a practical platform for moving national relations from the level of communication and coordination to a more proactive level based on the exchange of expertise, initiatives, and joint projects, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture is keen to enhance its active presence in international cooperation. This includes pursuing promising opportunities from programs and experiences offered by international and regional organisations in relevant fields, and proposing initiatives that respect Omani knowledge and support its presence on the international stage.The Assistant Director of International Organisations emphasized that their presence in the Dhofar Governorate represents one aspect of this cooperation, by providing an opportunity to closely examine the Omani experience and its civilizational and cultural foundations. Currently, they are building a shared understanding of areas that can form the basis for future cooperation between the Ministry and ISESCO, including the role of institutional and cultural integration in developing sustainable joint programs, initiatives, and projects. It is expected that the output of cinema during certain film periods will enhance experiences and best practices, supporting initiatives participating in fields related to ISESCO's areas of expertise. This will strengthen the organisation's presence on the ground and solidify its position as a platform for civilizational diplomacy and cultural development in the Islamic world.This is because the "Bridges of Civilisation" initiative, launched by the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences at ISESCO, and new members within ISESCO, aims to promote firsthand knowledge of national experiences, foster networks of experts between the organization's experts and national institutions, and encourage best practices.