Saudi foreign minister urges major OIC reforms to improve effectiveness
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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has called for substantial reform of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to improve its ability to carry out decisions and respond to challenges facing member states.
Prince Faisal delivered the remarks during the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers at the organisation’s headquarters in Jeddah on Thursday.
He said repeated crises and mounting economic, social and humanitarian pressures had made cooperation and solidarity among Islamic countries an immediate necessity.
“The Islamic world, with its significant human, political, economic, and cultural weight, possesses the capabilities to be an active participant in shaping international balances. From this perspective, Saudi Arabia believes that the next phase necessitates serious reform of the OIC, enhancing its capacity to implement its resolutions, improving the efficiency of its institutions, and equipping joint Islamic action with more effective tools”, he said.
Prince Faisal said the OIC’s influence depended on unity among its members and their ability to convert shared interests and principles into coordinated action.
He affirmed that Saudi Arabia would continue supporting measures aimed at strengthening the organisation, addressing issues affecting the Islamic world and helping its people pursue security, stability, prosperity and peace.
Saudi Arabia condemns E1 settlement plan
Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state under the two-state solution.
He said this remained necessary for achieving a just and lasting regional peace.
The foreign minister strongly condemned the Israeli authorities’ announcement of a new tender to build settlement units within the E1 project.
“The danger of this project lies not only in the addition of new settlement units, but also in its location, which would lead to the isolation of East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings, directly threatening the possibility of establishing a viable, independent Palestinian state”, he said.
Prince Faisal also renewed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials and settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.
OIC leadership transition
During the session, Prince Faisal congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on becoming the new OIC secretary-general and wished him success in the role.
He also thanked outgoing secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha for his work during his tenure.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Kheraiji attended the extraordinary meeting.