The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has spoken of a positive atmosphere prevailing in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, ahead of the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
Several foreign ministers from the 57-member OIC are meeting in Islamabad on Sunday to explore ways to aid Afghanistan, while navigating the difficult political realities of its Taliban-run government.
The Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, expressed the OIC’s gratitude and thanks to Saudi Arabia, chairman of the Islamic Summit and to Pakistan for their great efforts to hold the meeting, which will be attended by several member states, observer states and international organizations.
He also expressed his optimism that the meeting will have positive outcomes to accelerate relief efforts for the Afghan people.
The member states’ great interest and keenness to participate in this meeting reflect the sense of solidarity with the Afghan people, Taha noted.
The organization called on its member and non-member states to mobilize the necessary financial resources to prepare and implement an urgent humanitarian aid plan to support the Afghan people.
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs of the OIC Ambassador Tarig Bakheet stressed that the Afghan people are in dire need of relief and peace after decades of war, suffering and insecurity.
His remarks were made in his speech during the opening session of the senior staff preparatory meeting for the extraordinary session that was held in Islamabad on Saturday.
“It is crucial that the international community take urgent action to intensify humanitarian support and ensure that the Afghan people have unhindered access to life-saving aid,” Bakheet stressed.
The OIC humanitarian office in Kabul will provide the necessary aid to millions of people in need, in coordination with various international agencies, he affirmed.
Bakheet said he is confident the OIC, the United Nations and regional partners, as well as the main relevant parties, will take all necessary steps to find sustainable solutions to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, in which millions of lives are at risk.
He thanked Saudi Arabia for its major initiative and Pakistan for hosting the extraordinary session.
