Pakistani Amb.: OIC summit in Islamabad to encapsulate discussions on security, peace

CAIRO – 2 March 2022: The Pakistani Ambassador to Cairo Sajid Bilal held a press conference Wednesday on the occasion of his country’s hosting of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on March 23 in Islamabad.

“It would be our distinct privilege to host the 48th CFM, in Islamabad on 22-23 March 2022 (after a hiatus of nearly 15 years). This Session will coincide with the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence. We look forward to welcoming OIC Foreign Ministers to Pakistan on this ‘special’ occasion,” Ambassador Sajid Bilal said.

He added that during its CFM Chair, Pakistan will endeavor to promote unity amongst Member States, advance the cause of justice for Islamic peoples, and to achieve the mutually reinforcing goals of prosperity and development for all OIC Member States.

According to the Ambassador, the proposed theme of the 48th Session is “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development”.

“We will seek to build ‘partnership’ across the Islamic world, and build bridges of cooperation to address the myriad of challenges confronting the Ummah,” he added.

“The range of issues before the 48th Session, is both broad-based and diverse. Our discussions would encapsulate matters of peace and security, economic development, cultural and scientific cooperation and revitalizing the role of the OIC etc. The over 100 resolutions adopted during the Session, will articulate the OIC perspective on major contemporary issues,” he continued.

The session will also provide an opportunity to review the decisions taken during the 17th Extraordinary Session, and to alleviate the urgent humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Sajid explained that Pakistan’s previous chairmanship of the CFM in 2007-08, led negotiations on the new OIC, ensuring that his country will continue to work with other OIC Member States, towards harnessing ‘collective ambition’ into ‘concrete action’, and to take tangible steps to further strengthen bonds of Islamic solidarity and cooperation.

He further added that “Egypt is an important country in the Muslim world and its contributions are widely acknowledged and appreciated. We look forward to Egypt's participation at the highest level.”