OIC ministers meet in Jeddah, adopt comprehensive resolution

JEDDAH: Foreign ministers and delegations from member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Jeddah on Thursday for a key meeting that adopted a comprehensive resolution strongly condemning Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The meeting brought together representatives of OIC member countries amid continuing concerns over Israel’s settlement expansion, violence and measures affecting Palestinian land and communities.

In its resolution, the gathering strongly denounced what it described as Israel’s expansionist policies, including the seizure of Palestinian land, expansion of settlements, violence, annexation and forced displacement of Palestinians.

The participants called on the international community and OIC member states to take legal, political and diplomatic measures to counter Israel’s policies and protect the rights of the Palestinian people.

The resolution also urged greater international efforts to prevent actions that could further undermine Palestinian territorial rights and prospects for a peaceful political settlement.

The Jeddah meeting came as the Palestinian issue continues to dominate discussions among Muslim-majority countries, with OIC members repeatedly calling for international action over developments in the occupied territories.

Pakistan also used the gathering to highlight the issue of Kashmir.

Addressing the meeting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Syed Fawad Sher called on the OIC to intensify its efforts to support the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

His remarks reflected Pakistan’s longstanding position that the international community should play a greater role in addressing unresolved disputes and protecting the rights of affected populations.

Another major development at the meeting was the election of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Mauritania’s former foreign minister, as the new OIC secretary general.

His selection is expected to place fresh attention on the organisation’s diplomatic role at a time when the Muslim world faces several major regional crises.

The OIC, which represents Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority countries across several regions, has frequently used its meetings to formulate common positions on issues affecting the Muslim world.

The comprehensive resolution adopted in Jeddah is expected to serve as a collective diplomatic position on the Palestinian issue, while member states will face pressure to translate the declaration into concrete political and legal measures.

The meeting also underscored the continuing importance of coordinated diplomacy among OIC members as tensions in the Middle East remain high.