Pakistan is hosting the 17th Extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
Islamabad, 17 December 2021 (TDI): Preparations to host the 17th Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Council of Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan are underway. The Summit is going to be held on December 19, 2021, in Islamabad.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation
OIC is the second-largest organization after United Nations with 57 member states, a collective voice of Muslims to promote international peace and harmony.
Established on 25 September 1969, OIC as a unified body has actively represented the vital interests of 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe. It is worthy to mention that Pakistan has hosted the extraordinary session of OIC in 1997 on Pakistan’s Golden Jubilee.
Significance of the OIC Summit
The OIC Summit is of vital importance to reunite Muslim Community to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan, in particular and in the entire region, in general.
The Summit is convened with a prime purpose to focus on dire issues looming over the Afghan people and to intervene in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The Summit is being called on to develop collective strategies at the international level to prevent the increasing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Arrival of Delegations
On 15 December 2021, the first arrivals to Pakistan for OIC Summit in Pakistan have started. The representatives of Pakistan have welcomed senior delegates from the General Secretariat of the OIC including two Assistant Secretary Generals.
The first arrivals to Pakistan for OIC Summit in Pakistan for 17th OIC Summit.
Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha also arrived in Pakistan to attend the 17th Extraordinary Session of OIC on Afghanistan. Upon arrival, he was received by Farrukh Habib, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and expressed his views about the OIC initiative and applauded Pakistan’s efforts in this regard.
State Minister Farrukh Habib welcomed Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha for OIC Summit.
Preparatory Sessions by Pakistan’s Officials
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi convened a meeting along with the Minister for Information and Broadcasting on media collaboration and strategic planning during the OIC Summit on Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister also invited former foreign secretaries, senior officials of the diplomatic community, members of academia and think tanks, and political leaders to discuss in length a wider perspective of the upcoming Summit to reach desired outcomes.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi co-chaired a meeting with Fawad Chaudhary for OIC Summit.
The Foreign Minister while speaking at Margalla Dialogue 2021, mentioned that the crisis in Afghanistan is not only haunting Afghan people but the region and beyond. The hosting of the 17th Extraordinary session by Pakistan will enhance its leadership on the regional stage in the political sphere.
He further said that Pakistan has always adopted a coordinated approach to promote peace and harmony with neighbors and the outer world. Through this Summit, Pakistan hopes to proceed with its role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity.
