The choice of the theme for the session, ‘United against Terrorism for Peace and Development,’ is a strong reminder that terrorism is the single most serious threat to the region and the world, given its negative impact on growth rates and cooperatioJakarta (ANTARA) - Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen affirmed that terrorism remains the most serious threat to the region and the world.
Dr. Al-Othaimeen delivered the statement during the Opening of the 47th Session of the Islamic Council of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Niamey on Friday (Nov 27).
"The choice of the theme for the session, ‘United against Terrorism for Peace and Development,’ is a strong reminder that terrorism is the single most serious threat to the region and the world, given its negative impact on growth rates and cooperation ties, in addition to the worsening Human Development Indices (HDI) ranking," Dr Al-Othaimeen noted in a statement.
He also valued the role assigned to the OIC Sawt al-Hikma (Voice of Wisdom) Center that acts in coordination with the International Islamic Fiqh Academy to bring reason to bear and promote moderation and tolerance.
The secretary general expressed gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Niger, for his gracious patronage of the meeting and also thanked the people and government of the Republic of Niger for the organization of the meeting and the warm hospitality.
He lauded all African member states for their keen involvement and support of the work led by the OIC.
Al-Othaimeen also commended the dedicated efforts that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had exerted during its tenure, as the Chair of the esteemed Council’s 46th session, and the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the host country of the OIC and chair of the 14th Islamic Summit.
He expressed deepest gratitude and appreciation for the care and attention given to the Organization’s activities in their entirety, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, may they be under Allah’s protection forever.
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the foreign minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its representative as Chair of the Islamic Summit, stated that the Kingdom had donated a piece of land for construction of the permanent building of the OIC General Secretariat.
Mrs. Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation in the UAE, delivered a speech where she referred to the activities that Abu Dhabi had conducted during its chairmanship of the 46th Session of the ICFM, affirming that her country had learned from the Organization of the importance of advancement in diverse issues.
Mrs. Al-Hashemy handed over the chairmanship of the Council to the foreign minister of the Republic of the Niger.
The 47th session of the Islamic Council of Foreign Ministers kicked off in Niamey, Friday, on November 27, 2020, and was opened by His Excellency Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, who affirmed that the OIC is important to its member states, and that his country plays an active role in the Organization.
He also extended his appreciation to Dr Al-Othaimeen for the work he did for the Organization.
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