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60% of World’s Conflicts Happen in OIC Zone

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the fourth OIC Conference on Mediation on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the fourth OIC Conference on Mediation on Sunday. (SPA)
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60% of World’s Conflicts Happen in OIC Zone

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the fourth OIC Conference on Mediation on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the fourth OIC Conference on Mediation on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia hosted on Sunday the fourth Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Conference on Mediation.

The conference, “Experiences and Prospects,” was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the OIC in Jeddah.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha said mediation is a key for the organization, noting that the conference is being held at a critical time as the world is in dire need for mediation, negotiationd and dialogue to resolve disputes and conflicts.

He pointed out that the organization’s member states have a strong commitment to resolving conflicts in a peaceful and lasting manner because “60% of the world’s conflicts across the world are happeing within the OIC zone.”

Taha said the OIC charter underscores the importance of bolstering ties among states based on justice, mutual respect and good neighborliness to ensure peace, security and general harmony across the world.

Regarding the peaceful settlement of disputes, he remarked that the charter requires member states to pursue peaceful ways through good offices, negotiation, investigation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement or any other similar means.

Moreover, he stressed that conflicts have exposed people to many bitter experiences and led to the decline in comprehensive development in their countries.

Taha further reviewed the OIC’s successes in conflict mediation in southern Philippines, southern Thailand, Sudan, Chad, and Afghanistan.

The Organization has also played a key role in supporting international efforts aimed at establishing peace in Somalia, Guinea, and Iraq, he added.

“We have played a major role in addressing the tense situation faced by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka due to some organized activities against Muslims by Buddhist monks in wake of the brutal suicide attacks on churches and hotels on April 21, 2019,” Taha said.

“We also intervened to correct the discriminatory policies and practices adopted by the government of Sri Lanka to cremate the corpses of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, which are incompatible with the rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka,” he continued.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Eng. Waleed al-Khuraiji underscored the Kingdom’s support for the OIC’s role and efforts with regional and international partners to resolve conflicts through mediation.

He lamented that the majority of conflicts happen in the Islamic world.

Furthermore, he stated that Saudi Arabia has long provided all forms of support and mediation to resolve conflicts across the world to achieve international peace and security.

The Kingdom has contributed through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the Saudi Fund for Development in resolving several crises, becoming one of the top humanitarian donors in the world.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.