by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Business Summit, Events, Muslim World
Riyadh (IINA) – Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar on Sunday will inaugurate the 15th Trade Fair of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which will kick off in Riyadh under the auspices of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.
The event is being organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MCI) in cooperation with the OIC, the Islamic Center for Development of Trade and the Council of Saudi Chambers at the Riyadh International Convention Center and Exhibition. “The Kingdom seeks to increase the level of trade exchange and promote two-way investments among OIC member states,” Turki Al-Toaimi, adviser to the minister of commerce and investment and its official spokesman, said here on Thursday. He expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his noble role in boosting the activities of the 15th OIC Trade Fair.
Al-Toaimi added that the trade fair will witness the participation of more than 30 OIC member states and the Kingdom’s pavilion will be the largest among OIC member states. A large number of Saudi companies and establishments will be displaying and offering a variety of goods and products made in Saudi Arabia, pointing out in the same context that Saudi products are currently being exported to more than 100 countries worldwide. Al-Toaimi said that the Kingdom seeks to increase its trade and investment with Islamic countries.
The 15th OIC Trade Fair is expected to witness the signing of a number of agreements and deals among OIC member countries and companies. A number of OIC ministers and ambassadors will participate in the trade fair, as well as businessmen and industrialists in and outside of the Kingdom. Al-Toaimi confirmed that the trade fair will provide various opportunities for businessmen to cooperate in various fields in private sector activities, such as finding new markets for their products and services, establishing joint ventures, providing new methods of funding for two-way trade, identifying available opportunities for cooperation in industrial projects, and expanding trade exchange among OIC member countries.
The OIC Trade Fair, held every two years, aims to introduce the products and services of OIC member states to raise the level of trade, promote two-way investments and open new markets for the products of participating countries. On the sidelines of the 15th OIC Trade Fair, the Council of Saudi Chambers and the Islamic Chamber will organize the 9th Forum for Businesswomen in Islamic Countries on Wednesday evening at its headquarters in Riyadh.
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
OIC Water Ministerial Conference Forms Water Council and Endorses its Terms of Reference
Istanbul (IINA) – The Third Session of the Islamic Conference of Ministers responsible for Water (ICMW), held in the Turkish city of Istanbul on May 17-18, concluded with the adoption of the Terms of Reference of the OIC Water Council.
It invited the OIC member states and relevant OIC institutions to render necessary support to the Water Council to enhance cooperation among OIC countries on water-related issues.
The Conference also approved composition of the Council, which consists of 15 members, and adopted a resolution on fostering cooperation in water sector as well as Chair’s Summary of the third session.
Ministers responsible for water and heads of delegations of OIC member states in their speeches highlighted the challenges faced by their countries in water sector and stressed the importance of increasing cooperation to tackle these challenges.
The ministers welcomed the establishment of the OIC Water Council as a major step in implementation of the OIC Water Vision. They called upon the newly formed Water Council to make effective strategies for enhancing technical capabilities of the member states on water-related issues and to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.
The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) presented the OIC Water Report for 2015 which highlighted the current status of water projects and activities undertaken by OIC countries in the water sector.
Two panel discussions on “Capacity Building in Water Sector” and “Prevention of Waterborne Diseases” in the OIC member states were held on the sidelines of the ICMW conference.
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Jeddah (IINA) – The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has completed its preparations for the 13th Islamic Summit Conference (OIC), to be hosted by the Republic of Turkey, in Istanbul on April 14-15.
The leaders of the Islamic world are expected to make decisions and take practical measures aimed at developing joint Islamic action and advancing the OIC’s role at the regional and international arenas. This includes the adoption of the “OIC Program of Action: 2016-2025”, which constitutes a strategic vision with specific priorities addressing: peace and security, terrorism and extremism, humanitarian work, human rights, development, poverty alleviation, eradication of epidemics, the rights of women, children and the family in the Islamic world, higher education, science and technology, and cultural exchange among OIC member states.
At the top of the files to be discussed by the Istanbul Summit is the Palestinian cause. The Summit is expected to issue a resolution on the matter, setting priorities of political action at international fora to defend the Palestinian rights and confirm the role and position of the OIC in support of Palestine at all levels. It will also express support of international efforts to re-launch a collective political process, according to specific timetable, with a view to ending Israeli occupation.
The Summit will also discuss endorsing an international peace conference to end Israeli occupation, supporting the Ministerial Contact Group on Al-Quds Al-Sharif and adopting the Strategic Plan for the Development of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
The Islamic Summit, which will be held under the theme “Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace”, will further discuss the current situation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, Somalia, Mali, Jammu and Kashmir, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia’s aggressions on Azerbaijan, as well as other member states afflicted by conflicts and unstable security situations.
Furthermore, the Istanbul Summit will consider the situation of Muslim communities in non-OIC member states and the issue of combating terrorism. It will dedicate sessions to discuss the issues of sustainable development, promotion of scientific cooperation among OIC countries in the areas of health, higher education and environment, promotion of cultural, social and media cooperation, the humanitarian situation, poverty eradication and infrastructure development in member states.
The First Ladies of the OIC member states will hold a special session on the sideline of the Islamic Summit on the theme “First Ladies’ Leadership on Cancer Control in OIC Member States”.
The Islamic Summit which will be preceded by a Foreign Ministers and a Senior Officials preparatory meetings will adopt a final communiqué and the Istanbul Declaration.
by Editor | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Niamey, (IINA) – President of the Republic of Niger Issoufou Mohamadou inaugurated here on Wednesday the 9th Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM).
The opening ceremony saw the handover of the chairmanship of the conference from the Republic of Gambia to the Republic of Niger.
The Ministers adopted a resolution on the development of tourism in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) member states for the next two years. They called on relevant OIC institutions to support the process of implementing the program, including the establishment of an electronic Islamic tourism portal and the staging of cuisine and cultural festivals.
The Ministers endorsed the selection of Madinah and the Iranian city of Tabriz as the capitals of Islamic Tourism for 2017 and 2018 respectively. They commended the plans prepared by the relevant institutions for the celebration of the Turkish city of Konyaen as the capital of Islamic Tourism for 2016.
The Ministers renewed their commitment to strengthening efforts to create awareness about tourist attractions in OIC countries through the exchange of documentary films. They condemned the level of destruction, theft and looting of historical artifacts and monuments due to terrorism and armed extremism in member states.
The resolution welcomed the offers made by the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Islamic Republic of Iran to host the 3rd and 4th OIC Tourism fairs in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
The Ministers requested the member states to participate in the regional project on the development of sustainable tourism in the project for the “network of parks and cross-border resorts in West Africa”.
They also called on all member states and relevant institutions to promote Islamic tourism through hotels, resorts, halal foods, entertainment and sports facilities in a manner compatible with the Islamic Sharia. They also called for the introduction of Islamic tourism signs in international forums.
Addressing the ceremony, the president said that Niger is proud and enthusiastic to host the 9th session of the ICTM. He stated that the tourism sector is an important support for the economy and development of OIC member states. He added that the vast tourism potential in member states call for greater attention to be devoted to the sector since it provides employment opportunities and impacts on other sectors of the economy.
On his part, OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani stated that the holding of the conference in Niger is very significant. Apart from Niger being widely known for its African cultural heritage and traditionally warm hospitality, Madani said that the hosting of the conference in Niger renews confidence in the security and stability of this great country.
He further said that tourism provides 1 in every 11 jobs globally and that OIC member states received about 147 million tourists in 2013, compared with 156 million tourists in 2009 and that the return on tourism recorded a tangible increase of up to $20 billion.
