OIC to enhance partnership with UN in combating terror

Thursday 28 May 2015 - 11:48 Makkah mean time-10-8-1436

Kuwait City (IINA) – Iyad Madani, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), announced here on Wednesday that the pan Islamic body will enhance its partnership with the UN and other international and regional organizations in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In his speech at the 42nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), entitled "Joint Vision for the Promotion of Tolerance and Denunciation of Extremism," Madani hoped that the Kuwait conference would further consolidate the OIC’s positions and actions against terrorism and extremism through addressing the context that breeds them.  
Madani shed light on the efforts being deployed by the Organization at various areas of work. He thanked Kuwait for hosting the two-day event, and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia, chair of the previous session and host of the Organization. The following are the major exerpts from the speech he delivered at the opening session of the conference. 
Palestine
On the central issue of the OIC, the cause of Palestine, the Secretary General pointed to the Israeli unprecedented escalation against the Palestinian people and their territories, saying that over 60% of the land has been eaten up by Israeli settlements, thousands of Palestinians remain in prisons, the Gaza Strip is subjected to illegal blockade. He added that Jerusalem continues to endure Judaization, annexation, deportation, closure and settlement building policies, and the holy sites, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque, face grave and recurrent Israeli attacks.
Madani said the ministerial contact groups of Al-Quds Committee visited influential states to explain the cause of Palestine and stress the need to resume the negotiation process on the basis of the Arab peace plan.
The OIC has worked hard together with the Palestinians to support the cause of Palestine in many ways including paying attention to the sourcing of legal capacities that can establish war crimes and case of apartheid against Israel, its policies and leadership. It also urged member states to visit Jerusalem to show support for its residents.
The Secretary General said the OIC is awaiting a response soon to the call by the State of Palestine for an extraordinary summit on Palestine, and looking forward to definitive participation by member states when the OIC hoists its flag on the soil of Palestine following the approval for the establishment of an OIC Office in Ramallah.
He called to energize the role of the Quartet, expand its membership and involve it effectively in the sponsorship of the efforts to achieve peace. He stressed the need to strengthen full support for Palestine to continue to accede to international institutions, organizations and conventions and to operationalize its role in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
With regard to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Madani urged the international community to fulfill its pledges to support the Palestinian reconciliation government, enable it to meet its commitments to the Palestinian people and rebuild the war-ravaged enclave.
Referring to his visit to Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque in January, Madani said he was able to get a first-hand briefing on the difficult conditions in the city. He said he called on Muslims to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque to affirm their right to the place and to break the occupation policy aimed at isolating the holy city from its Arab and Islamic depth.
Syria
The Secretary General said Syrian regime has continued the war of extermination against its people through the use of heavy weaponry that claimed the lives of at least 300,000 people and led to the displacement of over 6 million others. This is to say nothing of the destruction of public and private property.
He stressed the OIC’s support for a political settlement of the Syrian crisis on the basis of the UN-sponsored “Geneva Communiqué”, and reiterated the OIC’s principled position on the need to maintain the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria. He called for speedy delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected people.
Yemen
The Secretary General renewed the OIC’s principled position in support of the unity, security, stability and territorial integrity of Yemen. He also affirmed its support for constitutional legitimacy and rejection of Houthi coup.
The OIC chief welcomed the holding of the national dialogue conference in Riyadh and the adoption of the "Riyadh Declaration", and emphasized the need for quick implementation of resolution 2216, the commencement of rebuilding of Yemen's institutions and the launching of comprehensive national reconciliation.
He noted that a ministerial meeting on Yemen will be held in the mid-June, in response to a request from the Yemeni government and the consent of the majority of the member states.
Iraq
The OIC chief said he was pleased to meet all the political and religious leaders during his trip to Iraq last January. He pointing out that the sense of responsibility and determination he saw in all the leaders to build a single Iraq accommodating all its segments and constituents encouraged him to propose the “Makkah 2” initiative for national reconciliation.
Libya
On the Libyan crisis, the Secretary General said the OIC has affirmed its constant commitment to the unity, security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. An OIC delegation visited Libya last April to assess the situation on the ground and meet with government officials, representatives of tribes and civil society in the eastern region. All parties expressed support for the OIC role to help in finding a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis.
Somalia
The Secretary General said that Somalia is facing huge security challenges, noting that terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose latent threat to stability. He added that the OIC is strongly committed to full support of the Federal Government’s plan (vision 2016) for political transition and realization of the objectives of the “New Deal Compact” and the “Six Pillar Policy”.
Mali
The Secretary General stated that the OIC, in coordination with Algeria and international partners, is working to ensure that the Coordination Movements of Azawad which only initialed the agreement, would join the process, and that all parties would be fully committed to the spirit and letter of the agreement signed.
Cote d’Ivoire
On Cote d’Ivoire, the OIC chief said he noted with satisfaction the overall progress the country is steadily making in the areas of peace building and strengthening national cohesion and reconciliation. 
Central African Republic (CAR)
Madani noted that the situation in the CAR has been receiving the necessary attention by the OIC, stressing that the OIC envoy Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio has made huge efforts to restore peace and stability to the country.
The OIC supported the planned Bangui National Forum. These initiatives and efforts won the appreciation of many of the partners.
Terrorism
The OIC chief said the issue of combating terrorism is of such a pressing character that is why they decided to hold this session under the theme of “Joint Vision for the Promotion of Tolerance and Denunciation of Terrorism”.
A brainstorming session will be held today (Wednesday) to evolve an effective strategy founded on an OIC-led strategy to combat terrorist and extremist groups. The OIC also intends to uphold its partnership with the UN and other international and regional organizations as well as other parties concerned, to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Madani hoped that the outcome of this brainstorming session, along with the recommendations of the emergency meeting of the Ministerial Executive Committee held in February, will consolidate the OIC’s stands and actions against terrorism and extremism through addressing the context that breeds and exploits them.
Rohingya
Regarding the Muslim communities and minorities, the ordeal endured by the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar has been high in the OIC’s agenda for the past several years, he said.
Through the efforts of the Special Envoy on Myanmar, Minister Hamid Albar, the OIC has been pursuing a constructive diplomacy and direct engagement with the authorities there to encourage the Government to honor its commitments and allow the OIC to provide medical facilities and humanitarian aid.
The OIC has also remained active in all international fora to address the situation of the Rohingya and, at the last session of the UN Human Rights Council, a resolution was passed on Myanmar, following close coordination between the OIC and European parties.
I would like therefore to underline the need for the OIC member states to intensify their efforts at the international level to wield pressure on Myanmar to halt its segregation treatment against the Rohingya Muslims and reinstate their citizenship right. Also, greater efforts must be made to mobilize humanitarian relief for their benefit and find proper routes to ensure that the required aid is channeled to the people in need.
Concerning the Philippines, the OIC has followed the peace process in Southern Philippines for over forty years.
I have personally paid a visit to the region and expressed my support for the cause of peace. I started a visit to Malaysia for consultations with the officials there and exchanges of views on developments in the region.
I had the opportunity to meet with the Philippines President and Foreign Minister as well with the leaders of the two houses of the Congress and expressed to them our support for the peace process, and urged all parties to seize on the occasion to put an end to these decades of dispute.
Just last month an OIC delegation paid a visit to China and conducted bilateral consultations there on issues of common interest and examined prospects for cooperation and consolidated relations.
These consultations were the result of interest and political will to be shown by both sides. I remain confident that this new format of our engagement with China will not only benefit the general relations between China and the Islamic World, but will also be of assistance to the Muslim minorities in China.
Afghanistan
Likewise, the OIC is following closely the positive developments in Afghanistan after the election of the new Government. Indeed, in January last, I paid a visit to Afghanistan and struck a deal with its leadership for us to work together for the implementation of the initiatives of the new national unity Government in all the political and economic fields.
The OIC continues to support the legitimate causes of the people of Kosovo and Northern Cyprus.
Azerbaijan
We have also condemned the exactions perpetrated against the civilians among the people of Azerbaijan in the Azeri territories of Nagorno Karabakh.
He went on to say that the OIC is actively engaged in facing up economic challenges, poverty, deprivation and inequality in Member States despite the consistent GDP growth in these States to the level of 3.9% compared to the world average of only 3% in 2013. He said that the OIC Consultative Meeting for Food Security held in Jeddah last January, paved the way for the launch of the new food security institution whose general assembly will be holding its inaugural session in Astana, Kazakhstan, on October 12-14.
In the area of trade, he said arrangements are underway to remove the non-tariff obstacles among the OIC Member States.
Tourism & Trade
According to the latest statistics, Madani stated that there has been a rise in international tourism awareness among the OIC consumers, noting that the overall expenditure on tourism will witness a consistent rise from 137 billion $ in 2012 (excluding Haj and Umrah) to 181 billion $ by the year 2018.
He noted that the OIC has accorded appropriate interest to regional cooperation with the convening of the first investment forum on the OIC plan of action for cooperation with central Asia, in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) in October 2014.
The OIC is keeping up its endeavor to affect unified Halal standards and have them adopted and ratified with a view to remove the technical obstacles impeding Islamic intra-trade.
Poverty
The OIC agenda item on poverty alleviation depends in its implementation on empowering the youth and the vulnerable citizens in the OIC Member States. He stressed the need to increase the paid-up capital of the Organization’s poverty alleviation fund, which belongs to the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, has become more acute.
In view of the need to expand the opportunities for access to financial services to the current estimate of 329 micro-credit institutions in 38 Member States, and also the need to address several challenges, this activity will be held in Sudan this year in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank. He drew attention to the proposed convening of an extraordinary session to mobilize funds at the coming session of the CFM, urging Member States that have made pledges earlier to the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, to honor these commitments.
In the context of eradicating poverty and fighting extremism, science and technology, education and health assume increasing significance. They underpin social-economic well-being of the people and bear direct relevance to the prosperity, stability and security of societies.
Science & Technology
The OIC institutions, including the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Ankara Centre, ISESCO, the Islamic World’s Academy for Science and the Islamic Development Bank, are running several capacity building programs in specialties ranging from science policy and management, technology absorption, science teaching, and frontier technologies such as nano and biotechnologies and the information and communication technologies.
The General Secretariat, in cooperation with the Royal Scientific Society in the United Kingdom and other international partners, has produced the Islamic World Encyclopedia for Science and Innovation.
The OIC General Secretariat in cooperation with the IDB and the International Atomic Energy Agency continues implementing projects aimed at consolidating and creating cancer radiotherapy facilities in the OIC Member States from Africa, as well as projects on the hydrology of radioactive isotopes and mosquito sterilization, together with the IDB and the Agency.
Likewise we are pressing on with initiatives in the area of mothers and babies health, through the implementation of projects in 11 countries; as well as preventing and combating many diseases such as polio, malaria and tuberculosis.
He said he was confident that the OIC Summit on Science and Technology due to be held in Pakistan in the last quarter of this year will be an opportune occasion for the Member States to collectively express their priorities and agree on a roadmap to reactivate the OIC Plan of Action in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation.
He invited the member states to further encourage their universities to participate effectively in the OIC educational exchange program.
Islamophobia
Madani expressed during his speech, that the phenomenon of Islamophobia is one of the important issues addressed by the OIC especially that it has increased worldwide over the past year, reaching its peak since the tragedy of 9/11.
This is reflected in the intensive media campaigns and speeches that imply Islamophobia, as well as in the large number of incidents that occur sporadically against Muslims, mosques and Islamic centers and attires.
He noted that the issue of extremism, especially in the West, added more insults to the worsening Islamophobia, while the growing anti-Muslim sentiment dominated the constructive discussions on freedom of expression and its limits and manifestations.
In light of this, I believe that Islamophobia remains a source of deep and serious concern for the OIC. We seek, in accordance with the mandate entrusted to us by member states, to combat this phenomenon on the political, diplomatic, observational and operational fronts by raising the awareness of the international community to strongly express our concern about Islamophobia, which poses threat to international peace and security.
The eighth report released by the Islamophobia observatory confirms our position that the rising trend of Islamophobia is not positive. I have personally raised this issue of paramount importance during my meetings with the political, economic, religious and academic elite all over the world.
Resolution 16/18 of the Human Rights Council, co-sponsored by the OIC, stipulated eight areas of work at the national and international levels, to create an environment that protects religious tolerance, peace and respect. In this context, the OIC shall host the Fifth Session of the Istanbul Process in Jeddah on 3 and 4 of June.
Culture
In the area of culture, the OIC has continued its efforts to reflect the visions and projects to ensure more benefits to our Ummah.
Dialogue among Civilizations
With regard to dialogue among civilizations, we are still engaged in our important dialogue and interaction with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. At the same time, we are working on the formulation of related activities and special programs in this regard, including the steps to build confidence and understanding between the world's religions, cultures and civilizations.
On the other side, I would like to remind member states of the importance of the ratification of the Statute of the Organization of Women Development in Cairo and the Covenant on the Rights of the Child, to enable the Organization carry out its duty towards the family, women and children.
The OIC General Secretariat has also continued its efforts to promote cooperation between the OIC institutions concerned with youth.
The OIC General Secretariat looks forward to the formulation of a strategy to build the capacities of youth in the Muslim world and another strategy for childcare in coordination with its subsidiary institutions. I take the opportunity to urge member states to participate in the Third Ministerial Conference on Youth, hosted by the Republic of Turkey in 2016, and in the Fifth Islamic Conference of Ministers in Charge of Childhood, hosted by the United Arab Emirates next November.
Humanitarian Action
The establishment of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) and the Human Rights Committee does not only reflect the OIC's strong commitment to promoting human rights independently and transparently. But it also gives us the opportunity to benefit from their experience in reviewing the OIC human rights instruments vis-à-vis the international instruments and provide concrete proposals to increase efficiency and refine them, where appropriate.
Madani during his speech noted that he has proposed to member states to mandate the IPHRC with these tasks.
I am very pleased to note that this Session of the CFM has gone in this direction by requesting the IPHRC to review the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in the light of the current global human rights and propose improvements where necessary, he said.
The humanitarian situation has deteriorated since last Session in Jeddah in the vast majority of the crisis regions in the Muslim World, and beyond: from Syria to Libya, from Iraq to Yemen, from Palestine to Sudan and from Central Africa to Myanmar.
The repercussions on other countries are also aggravated, as we see particularly in the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the host countries of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. More than two-thirds of the world's refugees now are from the OIC member states.
Ebola
However, we must point out the progress made in fighting Ebola, and commend many member states that have gained a role and footprint in humanitarian work.
We hope that the international community remains committed to its pledges in support of Syria, Palestine and other peoples with a critical humanitarian situation.
We should strengthen the OIC capabilities to become the umbrella of humanitarian action in the Muslim World. Therefore, the General Secretariat proposed the establishment of a mechanism to coordinate humanitarian action in the OIC. This shall be tabled for detailed discussion after this CFM Session.
OIC Secretary General announced that there is a humanitarian exhibition on the sidelines of this meeting to highlight the OIC efforts in this vital area for the Muslim World. In addition, I will call for a round table brainstorming session before the end of this year to develop a vision of how to develop the OIC future role in the organization in the humanitarian sphere, particularly in light of the convention of the Summit of Humanitarian Work in Turkey, which is most welcome. We contribute actively to ensure the success of this Summit, and welcome any proposals from Member States so that the summit can address their concerns and comply with their interests.
Importance of Media
He stressed the important role of media in this age in framing images and shaping public opinion as desired in many countries. In this regard the OIC has witnessed many developments since the 41st session of the CFM held in Jeddah. The 10th session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, held in Tehran in December 2014 under the theme “Role of Media Convergence for Peace and Stability in the Muslim World”. Some of the major outcomes of that session were the adoption of resolution on international and external media activity in partnership with media institutions within and outside the OIC Member States, support of joint Islamic media institution actions, strengthening the media visibility of the OIC on issues of cultural exchange, development and peace; strengthening the capability and productivity of OIC media institutions and cooperation among them; and the establishment of a publication unit in the Department of Information at the OIC General Secretariat. The General Secretariat is currently engaging and coordinating with Member States and media institutions to implement this resolution through concrete projects to be jointly executed.
The OIC General Secretariat, through the Department of Information issues publications and literature that create awareness about the various activities and work of the OIC and its departments. A periodical in the name of the Organization, introductory literature on the work of the departments, specialized leaflets and films about the organization and its activities are also issued.
Pursuant to relevant resolutions adopted by the 10th session of the Islamic conference of Information Ministers, agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed to develop the OIC media action, in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Malaysia and UNITAS communications in the United Kingdom. Work is currently on going to execute several projects through these and other companies in order to develop media action, give voice to the organization, create awareness about its activities and initiatives across the world, and help to clarify the true image of Islam and Muslims especially in the West.
The 10th session of the Standing Committee on Information and cultural Affairs (COMIAC) held in Dakar. The session affirmed the importance of spreading the global message of Islam calling for peace and solidarity. It also affirmed its support for the resolution to launch the OIC channel on the internet and to consider the mechanism for the implementation of this resolution. In addition to that, the session adopted a number of other resolutions on information affairs, notably reiterating the importance of the media for championing the cause of Jerusalem and Palestine, and supporting the restructuring of the International Islamic News Agency (IINA) and the Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU).
With regard to the Internet world, he said OIC efforts have been partially successful in preventing any entity from obtaining the top-level domains of “Islam and Halal”. Madani renewed call to member states to continue to assist in preventing any private company from buying or registering these top-level domains without the consent of the OIC Member States. This is to avoid the abuse of any of the domains in a way that would impact our Islamic Ummah.
Madani said that the 10-year Program of Action launched in 2005 will be winding up at the end of this year. The program represented the first attempt to form and implement a development agenda of this type in the OIC.
Pursuant to this resolution, the General Secretariat took steps to ensure the effective involvement of all OIC institutions in the formulation of the program that carries the collective vision and support of all stakeholders. All the organs and institutions were requested to submit their contributions which were fully utilized by the inter-department drafting committee at the OIC General Secretariat. This document which bears the name OIC: 2025 Program of Action was subjected to review and updating at the consultative meeting of OIC institutions held for that purpose at the General Secretariat on 7 and 8 December 2014.
The OIC Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGGE) was seized with the issue and held two meetings at the General Secretariat on 18 March 2015 and 6-7 May 2015 respectively. In its interim report, the IGGE asked for more time to conclude the ongoing work which may last until the holding of the 42nd CFM. Thus a draft report  on the issue would be submitted to the Council with the aim of facilitating the ongoing work of the IGGE to enable it conclude the OIC-2025 Program of Action as soon as possible.
AB/SM/IINA

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