Jeddah (UNA-OIC) – Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha announced that the General Secretariat has started coordination with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan towards holding an Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and help to provide an appropriate humanitarian response.
The Secretary-General applauded the initiative of Saudi Arabia — Chair of the Islamic Summit and OIC host country — in calling for this important meeting, which is part of the Kingdom’s deeply rooted policy to promote Islamic solidarity and joint Islamic action.
In the same vein, he praised the offer by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to host the meeting on 17 December 2021. This, he said, is affirmation of Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people and promoting regional security and peace.
The OIC chief said he looks forward to the outcomes of the extraordinary meeting to end the suffering of the Afghan people and provide humanitarian assistance, using appropriate mechanisms in coordination with the United Nations, its relevant agencies and international financial institutions. He noted that this extraordinary meeting is a continuation of the OIC’s efforts on the situation in Afghanistan.
The Secretary-General went to say that the OIC had held an open-ended extraordinary meeting of permanent representatives at the General Secretariat on 22 August 2021, upon the invitation of Saudi Arabia. He said that the meeting affirmed solidarity with the Afghan people and renewed the commitment of member states to assist in bringing peace, security and stability to Afghanistan.
During the August meeting, the permanent representatives expressed deep concern about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan following the influx of displaced persons, triggered by the current situation in the country, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and drought.
The permanent representatives also called on member states, Islamic financial institutions and partners to urgently provide humanitarian assistance in the areas that are most in need. They further discussed advancing the interests of the Afghan people, eschewing violence, protecting security in the Afghan society and enthroning lasting peace to meet their aspirations for stability, dignified life, respect for their rights and prosperity.