JEDDAH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan underlined the need for serious reform within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) so as to enable it to discharge its duties effectively as well as to improve the efficiency of its institutions. He made the remarks while addressing the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC member states at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on Thursday. In his speech, Prince Faisal emphasized that Islamic cooperation and solidarity have become an urgent and indispensable necessity in light of the recurring crises and the economic, social, and humanitarian challenges facing the Islamic world and the OIC member states. “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. The Saudi minister emphasized that the strength of the OIC is derived from the solidarity of its member states, the unity of their positions, and their ability to translate their shared principles and interests into effective collective action.” He affirmed that the Kingdom will continue to support every effort that contributes to strengthening the organization’s role and standing, serves the causes of the Islamic world, and helps achieve the aspirations of its peoples for security, stability, prosperity, and peace. Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian cause and its support for the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state, in accordance with the two-state solution, thereby achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. He expressed the Kingdom’s strongest condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities’ announcement of a new tender for the construction of 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. The minister reiterated Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials and settlers under the protection of Israeli forces. Prince Faisal congratulated the new Secretary General of the OIC Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and wished him success in his duties. He also expressed the Kingdom’s gratitude to Hissein Brahim Taha for his efforts during his tenure as secretary general of OIC.Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed Al-Kheraiji also attended the extraordinary session.
