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RESOLUTIONS ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS ADOPTED BY THE THIRTY-THIRD SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
(SESSION ON HARMONY OF RIGHTS, FREEDOMS AND JUSTICE)
BAKU, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN 23 - 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19 - 21 June 2006)
On Economic Situation of the Member States.
On Economic Problems of the Least-Developed and Land-Locked Member States.
On Strengthening the Multilateral Trading System.
On Supporting the Reform of the International Financial Architecture.
On Economic Problems of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, of the Syrian Citizens in the Occupied Syrian Golan Heights and of the Lebanese Citizens still living under Israeli occupation.
On Economic and Social Losses for Great Jamahiriya as a Result of the Security Council Resolution Nos. 748/92 and 883/93.
On Economic Assistance to the State of Palestine.
On Economic Assistance to the Republic of Lebanon.
On Economic Assistance to the People of Afghanistan.
On Economic Assistance to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On Economic Assistance to the Republic of Guinea.
On Economic Assistance to Member States Stricken by Drought and Natural Calamities.
On Economic Assistance to Member States Affected by Regional War, Civil Insurgence, or Political Crises.
On Economic Assistance to Non-OIC Countries and Muslim Communities.
On Economic Assistance to the People of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the Activities of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC).
On Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.
On Activities of the OIC Subsidiary Organs active in the Economic and Trade Fields.
On Activities of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
On Activities of the OIC Affiliated Institutions active in the Economic and Trade Fields.
On Establishment of an Islamic Common Market.
On Promotion of Cooperation among the Stock Exchanges of OIC Countries.
On Continuous Assistance to the Sahelian Member States.
On Cooperation in Energizing Trade and Investment in Cotton Sector.
On Capacity Building for Poverty Alleviation in the OIC Member States.
On the World Fund for Solidarity and Poverty Eradication.
ON ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE MEMBER STATES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Also recalling Resolutions Nos. 1/10-E(IS) and 8/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 1/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recalling the Monterrey consensus of the International Conference of Financing for Development held in Monterrey, Mexico on 18-22 March, 2002;
Having taken note with appreciation of the studies prepared by SESRTCIC on world economic developments and ICDT on intra-OIC trade;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the matter,
1. Recognizes that while globalization and interdependence have opened new opportunities for the growth of the world economy and development, this global phenomenon has also brought new challenges for growth and sustainable development and majority of developing countries have been facing special difficulties in responding to them and have remained marginalized.
2. Underlines the need to devise ways and means to minimize the adverse effects of the globalization on the economies of the OIC Member States as well as to enable them to harness opportunities provided by globalization.
3. Calls on the international community to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared by all countries on an equitable basis so as to ensure balanced advantages and obligations of developing countries including OIC Member States.
4. Reaffirms the need that good governance at the international level is fundamental for achieving sustained economic growth and sustainable development in developing countries, and that promoting global economic governance through addressing the international finance, trade, technology and investment patterns that have an impact on the development prospects of developing countries, is necessary to ensure a dynamic and enabling international economic environment in support of development in all developing countries.
5. Notes with appreciation the exchange of views on current world economic issues that are held regularly during the annual sessions of the COMCEC which constitute valuable occasions for the Member States to share their experiences and coordinate their positions on these issues.
6. Notes with concern the extraterritorial application by a number of developed countries of their domestic legislation which adversely affect foreign investments in other countries, including the OIC Member States; rejects all coercive measures, which are null and void from the perspective of international law; and recalls in this connection the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/5 elimination of coercive unilateral and extraterritorial economic measures to exert political and economic pressure as an attempt by the international community to put an end to such practices.
7. Recognizes that the current phase of globalization and restrictive labour mobility are widening the income disparities between the developed and developing countries and that efficient labour migration management is essential for closing down such disparities and reducing the negative impacts of globalization through facilitating the flow of trade, capital, skills and ideas.
8. Reaffirms that mobilizing domestic savings, both public and private, sustainable adequate levels of productive investment and increasing human capacity, coherence and consistency of macroeconomic polices and an enabling domestic environment is vital for mobilizing domestic resources, increasing productivity, reducing capital flight, encouraging private sector and attracting and making effective use of international investment and assistance are for sustained economic growth and sustainable development of all countries.
10. Urges the Member States to pursue efforts aimed at strengthening economic and commercial cooperation as well as economic policy coordination among them so as to maximize the complementarities in their economies.
11. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED AND LAND-LOCKED MEMBER STATES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Also recalling Resolutions Nos. 5/10-E(IS), 6/10-E(IS), 7/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 2/32-E, adopted by the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Reiterating the importance of collective efforts by the international community towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals as contained in the UN Millennium Summit Declaration of 2000;
Reaffirming that the eradication of poverty in all Member States before the end of the next decade constitute a common objective of OIC Member States.
Reaffirming also that a favourable international economic environment within the framework of the concessions to be granted to them in terms of providing financial and technical assistance and investment resources; and access to international markets with raw materials price stability and appropriate structural programmes, is necessary for the success of the efforts being exerted by LDCs and low income countries in eradicating poverty.
Noting with concern the growing debt-servicing problems of externally indebted developing countries, particularly the LDCs, as constituting an element adversely affecting their development efforts;
Noting that the international community is observing the period 1997-2006 as the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty.
Recognizing that, in the process of globalization, the marginalization of the developing countries, particularly the least developed among them, has created constraints to the efforts to eradicate poverty;
Noting with appreciation the efforts of UNCTAD in favour of the Least Developed and Land-locked countries.
Expressing satisfaction with the IDB's efforts at the extension of assistance to the Least Developed Countries and for the opening of a special account for them.
Noting with appreciation the studies prepared and presented by SESRTCIC on the Problems of Least Developed and Land-locked Member States;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General,
1. Appeals to the international community, particularly the developed countries, to fully and expeditiously implement the Programme of Action for 2001-2010 adopted by the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries held in Brussels from 14 to 20 May, 2001.
2. Endorses the Cotonou Declaration adopted by the Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed countries held in Cotonou, Benin from 5 to 7 August, 2002.
3. Stresses the need for developed states to fulfill their obligations under the Monterrey Conference on Development and Financing, held in Mexico in 2002.
4. Calls upon the international community to help the LDCs to progressively integrate themselves into the world economy and strengthen LDC’s capacity to participate in the multilateral trading system, including facilitating accession to WTO by those LDC’s which are not already members.
5. Urges developed countries to increase their contributions and initiate new means within the framework of the International Development Strategy and to follow the example of countries who converted the debts contracted by the least developed countries into grants in order to facilitate the implementation of the structural adjustment measures undertaken by these countries.
6. Expresses concern at the declining trend in the quantity of ODA to the LDCs and stresses the importance of increasing Official Development Assistance (ODA) granted by the donor countries in favour of the developing countries in general and the Least Developed Countries in particular and calls upon donor countries to achieve as soon as possible the agreed target of 0.7% of the GNP for overall official development assistance and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of GNP for the least developed countries.
7. Emphasizes the importance of achieving reductions in the outstanding debt of the Least Developed Countries to sustainable levels through debt-relief measures, in order to help relieve their financial burdens, enhance their credit-worthiness and improve their external financial prospects.
8. Reaffirms the urgent need for effective, equitable, development-oriented and durable solutions to the external debt and debt-servicing problems of developing countries and appeals to international creditors as well as to international financial institutions to continue adopting necessary measures to cut down the debt of OIC Member States, in particular through staggered settlement of debts, deferred amortization, reduced and favourable interest rates or swapping debts for financing various development projects.
9. Expresses its appreciation for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) debt relief initiative and calls for its accelerated implementation in order to enable more eligible countries to benefit from the initiative.
10. Thanks the Islamic Development Bank for its contribution to the Debt Relief in favour of Member States. The total estimated NPV of Total Debt Relief by IDB to 14 Member Countries as of June 2003 reached US.D 144 Million.
11. Urges that the approach in the debt settlement should cover all types of debt, including multilateral debt, and all indebted developing countries, and incorporate measures aimed at a once-and-for all reduction arrangement to reduce their debt burden to a scale that would allow them to resume their economic growth and development.
12. Urges the developed countries and International institutions to take specific measures for the fulfilment of the commitments made at the World Social Summit, held in Copenhagen, as well as other international fora so as to enable the Least Developed Member States to attain this objective.
13. Encourages incorporation of micro-credit schemes in the strategy of poverty eradication and implementation of related recommendations as reflected in the Plan of Action adopted in the Micro-Credit Summit held in Washington from 2-4 February 1997.
14. Welcomes the adoption of a resolution by the Fifty-seventh Session of the United Nations General Assembly (December 2002) on setting up of an international solidarity fund to tackle poverty and to promote human advancement in the
Developing countries, and calls upon Member States and international donor institutions to mobilize and allocate fresh financial resources to the Fund.
15. Encourages the Member States to share among themselves the best practice models for poverty alleviation implemented by both public and private sectors in comparable as well as adaptable situations.
16. Renews the call made to the international community, especially the developed countries, to offer substantial reduction or cancellation of African debts and lowering of the burden of servicing charges while ensuring that this process is combined with the flow of fresh and considerable finances at soft-terms, to African countries.
17. Appeals to Member States which are donors to use their influence on the International Donor Community to overcome the external debt burden of developing and least developed OIC Member States.
18. Notes with satisfaction the efforts of some Member States to extend assistance to the least developed Member States with the amount of aid exceeding the target of 0.15 per cent of GNP and hopes that such assistance will continue.
19. Notes with satisfaction that the OIC General Secretariat has convened, at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 6-7 March 2006, the Meeting of the open-ended OIC intergovernmental group of experts, including representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, IDB, ICCI, ICDT and SESRTCIC, with the mandate of examining the ways and means of implementing the Programme of Action for 2001-2010 in respect of the Least Developed Countries within the OIC in accordance with Resolution 2/32-E adopted by the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Sana’a, Republic of Yemen, and recommends to submit the proposals of intra-OIC cooperation in this regard for consideration by the 33rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers to be held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan on 19-21 June 2006.
20. Notes that the OIC Secretary General has set up a Task Force on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in accordance with Resolution 5/27-E adopted by the Twenty-seventh Session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers; and appreciates the efforts of the ICCI in initiating such a proposal and organising meetings of the Task Force, the first of which was held on 27-29 January 2002 in Dhaka; the second in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique on 19-21 May, 2003, the third in Lahore, Pakistan on 16-18 March 2004, and the fourth in Bangkok, Thailand on 24-26 January 2005.
21. Recognizes the necessity to respond effectively to the needs of Land-locked and transit countries so as to allow them to develop their transport infrastructure and road network and called on the developed countries to provide the necessary assistance to promote trade among the various parties.
22. Calls upon the land-locked countries, their transit neighbours and donor counties to implement measures to strengthen further their cooperative and collaborative efforts in dealing with the transit problems in accordance with the Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation between Land-locked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries.
23. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Also recalling Resolution No. 3/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 3/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recalling the related decisions of the COMCEC which have the subject on its agenda as a permanent item;
Appreciating the efforts of IDB and ICDT in assisting and appraising the Member States on matters related to WTO.
Recognising that the effective functioning of the multilateral trading system is pivotal in contributing towards enhancing growth and development;
Taking note with appreciation of the reports submitted by SESRTCIC and ICDT;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Acknowledges that trade is one of the most important sources of development financing, and in this context reiterates the important role of enhanced market access, balanced rules, appropriate adjustment facility and capacity building programmes in promoting trade in development countries.
2. Recognizes the importance of open, transparent, inclusive democratic and more orderly processes and procedures for the effective functioning of the multilateral trading system, particularly participation of developing countries in the decision-making processes of this system.
3. Reiterates that development concerns form an integral part of the Doha Ministerial declaration, which places the needs and interests of developing countries, at the heart of the Doha work programme.
4. Emphasizes the importance of developing human, institutional, regulatory, research, trade policy and development capacities and infrastructures aimed at enhanced supply-side capacity and competitiveness, as well as ensuring a conductive international environment for the full and effective integration of developing countries into the international trading system.
5. Urges the WTO and its Member States to:
i. stress the need to ensure that political considerations should not impede the process of accession to the WTO;
ii. accord priority and urgency in addressing implementation problems;
iii. ensure that the agenda for further negotiations remains focused, balanced and manageable, taking into account the limited resources and the level of development of many developing countries, in particular the LDCs;
iv. strengthen the development dimension in multilateral trade agreements, including operationalizing the special and differential treatment provisions such as extending the transitional period in implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement;
v. reject the inclusion of non-trade issues, such as labour and environmental standards, into the work programme of the WTO, given its detrimental effects to the evolution of a just, free and fair trading environment as reiterated by most WTO members;
vi. ensure the availability of sufficient resources for technical cooperation activities to assist developing countries implement WTO agreements and decisions;
vii. review the structure of the decision making process of the WTO to ensure greater transparency of the WTO process and ensuring effective participation of WTO members in this process;
viii. ensure that technical assistance by WTO shall also contribute to capacity building in developing countries, in particular the LDCs.
6. Calls on OIC Member States who have acceded to the WTO to support and facilitate negotiations for the accession of the other Member States which have not yet joined the WTO.
7. Commends the IDB for its sincere efforts in raising awareness among OIC Member States of the wide-ranging impact of the Uruguay Round agreements on their economies, and in reinforcing the capabilities of Member States, including its negotiating capabilities, preparing them fully for the negotiations in the context of the WTO, and calls on IDB to continue in its efforts.
8. Appreciates also the technical assistance programmes of the Islamic Development Bank to assist Member States which are either members of the WTO or in the process of accession to the Organization, and the role of the Bank in organizing consultative meetings in order to enable Member States to exchange its views and coordinate their stands as much as possible on all issues of common interest in order to prepare for the WTO ministerial meetings and evaluate the results of these meetings; and appreciates IDB’s efforts in providing technical assistance to enhance the capacity-building of OIC Member States in human resources development and institutional sectors such as organizing trade policy courses, seminars, symposia and workshops on the main topics and providing specific direct technical assistance to the OIC Member States.
9. Thanks the Islamic Development Bank for organizing in Geneva on 13 October 2004, a consultative meeting for exchange of views on the “July Package”, the framework agreement reached by the World Trade Organization in August 2004, and thanks the Bank’s initiative to intensify its efforts in extending technical assistance to Member countries on the World Trade Organization to prepare for the 6th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization held on 13-18 December 2005 in Hong Kong, by having arranged three Consultative Meetings: the first for permanent missions in Geneva; the second for senior officials in Jeddah; and the third for Ministers on the sidelines of the 6th Ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization in Hong Kong.
10. Commends the Islamic Development Bank for organizing a symposium on competition policy in Khartoum, Sudan, from 27-28 April, 2004, a symposium on the ending of the textiles and clothing agreement from 10-11 May 2004 (Jeddah), a symposium on ongoing developments on WTO negotiations on “access to agricultural and non-agricultural markets: opportunities and challenges for Member states of the World Trade Organization,” as well as a workshop on the entry of Central Asian states to the membership of the World Trade Organization, from 31 January – 3 February 2005 (Kyrgyz). Also commends the continuous efforts of the Islamic Development Bank to strengthen Member countries’ understanding of WTO agreements through the organization of courses on trade policies in Benin from 21 June – 9 July 2004 for French-speaking countries, in Jakarta from 27 September – 15 October 2004 for English-speaking countries and in Tunis from 9-27 May 2005 for Arabic-speaking countries.
11. Urges the UNCTAD to undertake studies on the necessary measures to bring about a balance in cost and benefits for the developing countries in adopting the new trade and economic regimes taking into account their different levels of development and ability to compete.
12. Requests IDB and ICDT to continue their efforts and submit periodic reports to the COMCEC and related OIC fora.
13. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON SUPPORTING THE REFORM OF THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Also recalling Resolution No. 2/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 4/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recognising that the recent South East Asian financial crisis was not only rooted in the macroeconomic vulnerabilities in several of the affected economies but was also caused by weaknesses in the current arrangements that govern the international financial system;
Accepting that weaknesses in the arrangements that make up the international monetary system have allowed excessive risk taking, imprudent investor behaviour and speculative activities;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Underscores the importance of developing an orderly and strengthened international financial system and stresses that the international financial system should facilitate the mobilization of all available resources to finance for development and thus promote poverty eradication and economic growth in developing countries.
2. Recognizes the urgent need to enhance a development oriented coherence in the governance and operational activities for development of the international monetary, financial and trading systems and the importance of ensuring their transparency, openness, fairness and inclusiveness.
3. Calls for an increase in the representation of developing countries in the Bretton Woods Institutions, which would improve the credibility and legitimacy of these institutions. Express a strong preference for a comprehensive package that would deal with all the major issues simultaneously within a firm deadline. The comprehensive package should include, inter-alia: (i) a new quota formula that reflects more accurately the relative economic size of developing countries in the world economy; and, (ii) a sustainable increase in basic votes.
4. Underlines that the reforms of the international financial architecture should aim at addressing the fundamental weaknesses of the free market system and inherent instability of the international financial system through achieving the following:
a. avoid destabilising capital flows to maximise benefits from globalised capital markets, thereby minimising risk;
b. contain the adverse impact of currency trading especially on small economies; c. mitigate occurrence of future crisis; d. limit the contagion effect of any crisis; and e. achieve symmetry in efforts of governments and the private sector.
5. Appreciates the contributions and efforts made by the various fora such as the G-7, APEC, ASEAN, the G-15, the G-20 as well as the international financial and regulatory bodies such as the IMF, World Bank, the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to strengthen the international financial architecture.
6. Stresses the need to maintain the momentum for reforming the global financial architecture.
7. Calls for greater participation of private sector in the prevention and resolution of financial crisis and the application of standards of transparency and disclosure of economic and financial information equally to the public and private sectors.
8. Requests SESRTCIC to continue studying the matter, particularly from the point of view of its implications for the OIC Member States to formulate fresh proposals and recommendations thereon and submit periodic reports to the annual session of the COMCEC and thereafter to the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers for active consideration for implementation.
9. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, OF THE SYRIAN CITIZENS IN THE OCCUPIED SYRIAN GOLAN HEIGHTS AND OF THE LEBANESE CITIZENS STILL LIVING UNDER ISRAELI OCCUPATION
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 9/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 5/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Believing in the objectives and principles of the OIC Charter aimed at strengthening Islamic solidarity among the Member States, and conforming with mass international will that rejects arbitrary Israeli practices in the occupied Arab territory which lead to deterioration of the economic and social conditions of Arab citizens under the yoke of Israeli occupation, on the one hand, and that supports the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region based on the (Land-for-Peace principle) UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 425, 1397, 1402 and 1403 and 1515 as well as the authority of the Madrid Peace Conference, on the other;
Affirming its support for the earnest efforts exerted by the Palestinian Authority to confront the financial and economic conditions of the Palestinian people caused by persistent Israeli blockade and seizure of funds belonging to the Palestinian Authority and the severance by some International Parties of their assistance to the Palestinian people; renewing its condemnation of escalation of the illegal and unlawful expansionist settlement policies of the Israeli government, in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the occupied Syrian Golan; and drawing attention to the serious implications of this escalation on the existing difficult economic and humanitarian conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory and the Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan;
Expressing extreme concern over the grave economic impacts, resulting from the expansionist settlement policy of the Israeli government and of the continued construction of the separation wall on the difficult living conditions of the Palestinian people;
Expressing deep concern over the danger of Israel's continued occupation of the Syrian Golan, part of South Lebanon which are suffering huge economic and material losses;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General,
1. Condemns the practices imposed by the Israeli at the crossing points in the Gaza Strip and West Bank areas; in violation of the provision of the humanitarian international law and the crossing points agreement reached under the patronage of the Quartet, and warns against the foolhardy continuation of imposing such abusive measures which affects the various aspects of the Palestinian people’s daily life.
2. Invites Islamic financial and economic institutions to expedite the extension of their assistance in all possible form, to the Palestinian people and to intensify their efforts and programmes to extend financial and technical support to enhance the economic capabilities of the Palestinian people’s institutions.
3. Reaffirms the earlier OIC resolutions in favour of the extension of all forms of economic, technical, material and moral support and assistance to the Palestinian people, preferential treatment for Palestinian export products, granting them exemptions from taxes and tariffs and permitting Palestinian manpower to work in the Member States for specific periods thus helping to improve their material conditions and contributing to their return and their steadfastness on their land.
4. Urges Member States to set up people’s committees to collect donations to support the Palestinian Authority and provide urgent assistance to the Palestinian people in this emergency situation because of continued blockade and severance of international assistance.
5. Strongly condemns the acts of demolition and destruction of Palestinian homes, institutions, facilities, lands, the uprooting and burning of fruitful trees and plants, and the bulldozing of the soil, which are perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army and settlers and which have resulted in severe losses for the Palestinian economy and building an expansionist infrastructure by establishing more settlements and calls upon the international community to force Israel to put an end to these criminal acts
and to pay reparations for these damages also strongly condemns Israel for its erection of the Apartheid Wall which eats up into the Palestinian lands, isolates scores of villages, and prevents their population from exploiting their land in addition to the crimes perpetrated by the settlers, the fences built by them, and their preventing Palestinians from harvesting their crops.
6. Calls upon the international community to intervene to force Israel to release the Palestinian funds being held up by it and estimated at millions of dollars accruing from taxes and tariffs due to the Palestinian authority and levied by the Israeli government.
7. Calls for the necessity of implementing the resolutions of the UN General Assembly on the economic assistance extended to the Palestinian people as well as the resolutions of other international organizations and relevant specialized agencies. It also calls for united efforts on the part of the Member States in their support of the Palestinian cause during the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.
8. Urges the private sector and investors of the Member States to support the economic, industrial, agricultural and housing programmes in the territories of the Palestinian National Authority with a view to supporting and strengthening the Palestinian national economy and assisting the Palestinian people to overcome the current tribulation.
9. Appreciates the efforts of IDB and ICCI, calls upon the Federation of Palestinian Chambers and the local Palestinian Chambers to activate their private sector so that not only the means of technical and financial assistance could be extended to the private sector but also joint ventures could be materialized with the private sector from other Islamic Countries.
10. Urges the OIC Member States to carry all necessary actions at the international level to exert pressure on Israel to desist from resorting to imposition of the brutal blockades on the occupied Palestinian territory, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif which result in extremely painful economic effects on the Palestinian people and raise the level of unemployment among the Palestinians. It also hampers international efforts aimed at realizing development in the occupied Palestinian territory and the territory of the Palestinian National Authority.
11. Condemns Israel for its continued occupation of the Syrian Golan and parts of South Lebanon, including the Shebaa farms and the arbitrary Israeli practices which have led to the degradation of the social and economic situation of the Syrian and Lebanese populations suffering under the yoke of Israeli occupation.
12. Calls on Member States and the international community to compel Israel to pay the Government of Lebanon reparations for the plight of the Lebanese citizens in Southern Lebanon and the Western Beqaa who suffered Israeli aggressions throughout the occupation that has induced substantial losses and social complications and caused a quasi-permanent paralysis of economic activities in the region.
13. Calls on Member States and the international community to extend necessary assistance to the Lebanese citizens in South Lebanon and the Western Beqaa who have been constantly and every day the targets of Israeli aggression throughout the occupation period, thus entailing huge material losses and social hardships leading to a quasi permanent paralysis of the economic activities in the area.
14. Calls also on the Member States to coordinate their efforts regarding the implementation of the resolutions on the subject.
15. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LOSSES FOR GREAT JAMAHIRIYA AS A RESULT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NOS. 748/92 AND 883/93.
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 11/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 6/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Having taken note of the negative effects on the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya of the sanctions imposed on it by the Security Council under Resolutions No. 748/1992 and 883/1993, in the economic, cultural and social fields;
Recalling the relevant resolutions adopted by the various fora of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization of African Unity, the League of Arab States and the Non-Aligned Movement;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General;
1. Welcomes the unilateral lifting of the sanctions imposed on Libya and recognizes its right to compassion for the damages it has suffered as a result of the sanctions which were imposed on it by virtue of Security Council resolutions No. 748 (1992) and 883 (1993).
2. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE OF PALESTINE
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7 and 8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 25/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 7/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recalling also Resolution of the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference as well as resolutions of the 22nd , 23rd, 24th , 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd Sessions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers;
Noting with great interest the difficult financial and humanitarian conditions of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian National Authority caused by persistent Israeli blockade and seizure of funds belonging to the Palestinian National Authority as well as severance of assistance from the Palestinian people by some international parties;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the issue;
1. Expresses its deep appreciation for the assistance extended to the Palestinian people and Authority by some Member States and relevant bodies of the OIC; and calls upon all Member States to continue their support and assistance for their Palestinian brothers to enable them face the difficult conditions they are passing through due to continuous Israeli aggression and severance of international assistance.
2. Appeals to Member States, Islamic Relief Bodies and Financial Funds to provide urgent financial and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people and national authority to face the worsening conditions resulting from continued Israeli blockade and severance by some international parties of their assistance.
3. Calls upon Member States and Islamic peoples to contribute in support of the Al Quds Waqf Fund with 1 dollars per each Muslim, pursuant to the provisions of the Final Communiqué of the Third Extraordinary Islamic Conference, in order to provide relief for the Palestinian people to face the tribulation and to safeguard the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic sanctuaries and preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of the city of Al Quds.
4. Calls upon states and bodies that have stopped assistance to the Palestinian people after the Palestinian legislative elections to review their positions and not to punish the Palestinian people over their democratic choices, and urges them to resume provisions of assistance to the Palestinian people and national authority and assist them to build their economy.
5. Calls upon Member States to support the reconstruction efforts of the Palestinian authority of the destructions caused by persistent Israeli aggression and invites the international community to provide assistance to the Palestinian people and assist them to rebuild what Israeli occupation has destroyed.
6. Reaffirms the previous resolutions aimed at extending all forms of moral, material, technical and economic support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian National Authority; and at giving preference to importation of Palestinian products and exempting them from taxes and custom duties.
7. Urges business men and investors in Member States to contribute in executing economic, industrial, agricultural and housing projects in the Palestinian territories in order to build the Palestinian national economy.
8. Urges Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, in view of the obstacles placed by Israel, to facilitate employment opportunities for the Palestinian labour force, in order to enhance the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people and to eradicate unemployment.
9. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 13/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;
Recalling Resolution No. 8/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Further recalling Israeli aggressions against Lebanon, and the resulting losses of life and property, and their consequences on political and economic conditions in Lebanon;
Appreciating the efforts exerted by the Government of Lebanon to achieve stability and security, establish its authority, reconstruct its country, and provide for the needs of citizens in the territories previously under Israeli occupation;
Taking into account the difficulties faced by the Lebanese citizens in the territories previously occupied by Israel, and in the neighbouring areas;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the subject;
1. Expresses its appreciation for the donation made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced at the Donors Conference (Paris 2) of the amount of US$700 million in the form of securities and of purchasing government bonds.
2. Expresses also its appreciation of the assistance extended by some Member States and by the relevant organs of the OIC.
3. Condemns Israeli acts of aggression against public facilities and infrastructures in Lebanon, aimed at obstructing the efforts of reconstruction made by the government of Lebanon. It also condemns the continued Israeli unwillingness to withdraw from parts of the territory of Lebanon, including the Shab’a farms, to the line of the internationally recognized borders of Lebanon.
4. Further Condemns Israel for refusing to hand over maps of landmines, which it planted in various agricultural and vital regions of the south and the western Bekaa, which constitutes a grave danger to the lives of civilians and prevents them from leading a normal life. Condemns also Israel for detaining Lebanese detainees in its prisons.
5. Reaffirms its previous Resolutions on the need to provide various forms of financial, material, and humanitarian aid to Lebanon to meet its economic, technical and training needs, and reiterates the appeal to OIC Member States and to international and regional bodies to contribute urgently and effectively to the reconstruction of what was destroyed by Israeli occupation, and to respond positively to the call for a conference of donor states for that purpose.
6. Calls on Member States to grant exceptional facilities to Lebanese products to permit them unhindered access to their markets in support of the Lebanese economy, the mainstay of Lebanese steadfastness and resistance to Israeli aggression.
7. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 19/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 9/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recalling further the text of the Final Communiqué of the Ninth extra-ordinary session of the ICFM held in Doha on 10 October, 2001;
Taking into account that Afghanistan is currently faced by serious constraints due to more than two decades of war;
Taking also into account the participation of the Member States and the General Secretariat of the OIC in the Donors Conference held on 21-22 January 2002 in Tokyo; and in March 2004 in Berlin and on 31st January to 1st February 2006 in London;
Noting that about 70% to 80% of its economic and social infrastructures have been destroyed during the two decades of war;
Bearing in mind the importance of the voluntary and sustainable repatriation and reintegration of the Afghan refugees and displaced people to their homeland and place of origin;
Aware that over 1.5 million Afghans were killed, about 1.5 million disabled and more than 5 million displaced and took refuge in the neighbouring countries;
Recognizing that about 10 million mines were planted in different parts of the country:
Taking cognizance of the OIC Trust Fund for the assistance of the people of Afghanistan and the commencement of its operation;
Noting also that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan needs critical international support and assistance in its efforts at stabilization and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country; Appreciating the adoption of the Afghanistan Compact by London Conference as the modus operandi for the next five years in its journey towards rehabilitation, reconstruction and sustainable development.
Commending the adoption of the Interim Afghan National Development Strategy (IANDS) that will help secure full implementation of the Afghanistan Compact that was endorsed by Security Council Resolution No. 1569.
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Welcomes the establishment of the Joint Monitoring and Coordination Board to observe and guarantee timely and more effective implementation of the provisions of the Afghanistan Compact.
2. Urges all Member States to donate to the OIC Trust Fund for the assistance of the people of Afghanistan in order to strengthen its operation and enhance its capacity.
3. Calls on International Community to provide timely assistance to Afghanistan for the reconstruction and rebuilding of the country and its institutions as part of their contribution to the implementation of the Afghanistan Compact and further call upon the Donors who made pledges to remit their donations.
4. Further urges the Member States to participate actively by any means in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
5. Urges Member States, Islamic institutions and international organizations to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and to the internally displaced Afghans as well as to the Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran to ensure their voluntary and sustainable repatriation, reintegration and resettlement in their homeland.
6. Expresses its satisfaction on the conclusion reached at the recent Donors Conference in London on 31st January - 1st February 2006 to extend assistance to Afghanistan, and appeals to countries to begin to implement the commitments made at the London Conference to assist Afghanistan to rebuild her infrastructure.
7. Appreciates also the contributions made by the Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, State of Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and other Member States for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
8. Further Welcomes the Regional Economic Cooperation held in Kabul for the promotion of the regional economic cooperation among the countries of the region including neighbors of Afghanistan that will be followed up annually.
9. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 21/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;
Recalling Resolution No. 10/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Confirming full solidarity of the Member States of the OIC with the Government and people of Azerbaijan at this very critical time of the country’s history;
Referring to the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions regarding this conflict;
Deploring the Armenia-backed aggressive separatism instigated in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, followed by aggression and occupation by Armenia of about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and resulted in violent displacement of almost one million Azerbaijani people from their homes, which, as such, resembles the terrible concept of ethnic cleansing;
Conscious of the fact that economic damage inflicted upon Azerbaijan in its territories currently by Armenia already exceeds US$ 60 billion;
Welcoming and appreciating the assistance extended by some Member States and OIC relevant bodies, United Nations institutions and international organizations;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Appeals to the Member States and Islamic institutions to make available to the Government of Azerbaijan the much needed economic and humanitarian assistance with a view to alleviating the suffering of the Azerbaijani people.
2. Calls upon the international organizations to continue to grant humanitarian, financial assistance to Azerbaijan.
3. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 16/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;
Recalling Resolution No. 11/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Considering the role played by the Republic of Guinea, within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to establish peace and ensure stability in some Member States, victims of armed conflicts;
Considering that the presence of a huge number of refugees from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire constitutes an unbearable burden for the economy of the Republic of Guinea;
Considering the need for the Republic of Guinea to reconstruct its country and ensure the survival of the refugees and their return to their respective countries;
1. Calls urgently the international community and Member States to provide substantial financial and material assistance to the Republic of Guinea so as to enable it to face this situation created by the aggressions which victimized her and by the presence on its territory of hundred of thousands of refugees most of whom are Muslims.
2. Appeals to the Islamic Development Bank to increase its assistance to the Republic of Guinea so that it may create the social infrastructures needed for the displaced population and the refugees, and overcome the deterioration of the environment brought about by this massive presence of refugees.
3. Appeals to the international community and the Member States to provide substantial economic and financial support to the programme of reconstruction of refugees’ countries of origin to ensure their effective return to their countries.
4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER STATES STRICKEN BY DROUGHT AND NATURAL CALAMITIES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Also recalling Resolutions Nos. 10/10-E (IS), 28/10-E(IS) and 26/10-E (IS) adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 12/32-E adopted by the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Noting with concern the grave situation caused by natural disasters, drought and desertification, with their damaging effects on economic and social conditions of the affected countries especially in the sectors of agriculture and food, economic and social infrastructures as well as public services and utilities;
Fully aware that afflicted Member States, belonging as they do to the category of the Least-Developed, cannot by themselves bear the growing burden of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work;
Recognising the importance of disaster preparedness and management for mitigating the impacts of natural calamities and the need for continued efforts by the international community to enhance awareness in this regard.
Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the subject;
a) The Republic of Djibouti
Deeply concerned at the recent drought in Djibouti causing an important loss in livestock, as well as serious damage to health at both the social and economic levels.
1. Appeals to the Member States to provide substantial financial and material support to the Republic of Djibouti for the consolidation of peace, the reconstruction of the country and the implementation of its structural adjustment programme.
2. Calls on the Member States to assist the Republic of Djibouti in its struggle against the disastrous consequences of the recent drought at both the social and economic levels.
b) The Republic of Mozambique
1. Noting with satisfaction that the Mozambique’s Presidential and Legislative elections held on 1-2 December, 2004, was carried out peacefully and in a transparent manner, which created conditions to reinforce democratic process and to continue to implementation of economic and social programames;
2. Appreciating the efforts being made by the Government of Mozambique in the implementation programme for eradication of poverty and for economic development;
3. Appeals to the Islamic Development Bank, all Islamic Institutions and the International community in general to continue rendering their assistance in order to ensure the socio-economic development of Mozambique.
4. Urges the developed countries to write off the external debt of Mozambique in the light of its current effort to eradication of poverty.
5. Calls upon all Member States to continue their support to the implementation of the programme of reconstruction of Mozambique.
6. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance extended by some Member States and relevant OIC institutions.
7. Urges the international community to render assistance for setting up national, sub-regional, regional and international disaster prevention, preparedness and management mechanisms, including early warning systems.
8. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
RESOLUTION NO. 13/33-E
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER STATES AFFECTED BY REGIONAL WAR, CIVIL INSURGENCE, OR POLITICAL CRISES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Also recalling Resolutions Nos. 13/10-E (IS), 27/10-E (IS), 24/10-(IS), 15/10-E(IS), 16/10-E (IS), 17/10-E (IS), 18/10-E (IS), 22/10-E (IS), 21/10-E (IS) and 20/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolutions Nos. 13/32-E adopted by the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers respectively;
Taking into account the objectives and principles of the OIC Charter as well as members’ commitment to consolidate international peace and security;
Confirming full solidarity of the Member States of the OIC with the Government and people of the affected countries at this very critical time of the country's history;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the subject;
a) The Republic of Tajikistan
Deeply concerned at critical situation which Tajikistan has faced in the light of 5 years of bloody civil war resulted in the death, injury spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and diarrhoea and displacement of thousands of people as well as destruction of its economic and social infrastructures;
Noting the return of about 200 thousands Tajik refugees to their homeland which necessitates a great financial and technical support;
1. Appeals to all members and Islamic financial institutions to make their generous contributions to the process of overcoming the economic difficulties experienced by Tajikistan either on bilateral basis or through multilateral and regional organisations so as to enable Tajikistan to fulfil its rehabilitation programmes.
2. Urges the Islamic Development Bank to increase its financial and technical assistance to Tajikistan.
b) The Republic of Yemen
Taking into consideration the economic difficulties faced by the Republic of Yemen and the loses incurred in the tourism sector in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001 in New York.
Appreciating the efforts made and success achieved by the Government of the Republic of Yemen in implementing the Economic Reforms Policy and the Fight-Against-Poverty Programme;
Taking into consideration the heavy burdens borne by the Yemeni Government to provide shelter for groups of refugees from neighbouring African countries;
1. Expresses its appreciation for the efforts of Yemeni Government in overcoming its economic difficulties and the implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Administrative and Financial Reform and the Fight-Against-Poverty Programme.
2. Renews its call to the Member States and all regional and international organizations to extend all kinds of economic assistance to the Yemeni Government to support its efforts aimed at implementing the Comprehensive Programme of Administrative and Financial Reform and the Fight-Against-Poverty Programme with a view to alleviating the heavy burden of sheltering large number of refugees from neighbouring African countries.
c) The Republic of Somalia
Deeply concerned at the critical situation in Somalia and expressing the desire for early restoration of peace and order in that sister Member country;
Concerned at the adverse economic effects of the serious drought being experienced by the Republic of Somalia;
1. Urges OIC Member States, to provide material and other assistance on an emergency basis to Somalia to end the human suffering in this Muslim country.
d) The Republic of Sierra Lone
Recalling the results of the Parliamentary and Presidential elections in Sierra Leone;
Expressing appreciation for the sustained concern and interest of the leaders of the West African Sub-region, for peace to prevail in the Republic of Sierra Leone;
Expressing appreciation for the assistance rendered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Arab Republic of Egypt and other friendly nations for the donations of food items, clothing and medicines for the refugees and displaced inhabitants of Sierra Leone;
Considering that the armed conflict in Sierra Leone caused considerable damage to life and property and for several years disrupted all economic activities particularly in the Mining, Agriculture and Industrial sectors, resulting in substantial loss of revenue to Government and the private sector;
1. Appeals to the Member States and the international community to urgently extend substantial financial and material assistance to the Republic of Sierra Leone so as to enable its people to undertake the much needed process of rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of returnees and displaced inhabitants of about 1.5 million.
2. Requests the Secretary-General to use his good offices to accelerate the process of approval for projects already identified for Sierra Leone.
e) The Republic of Albania
1. Expresses its strong support to the people of Albania beset by major economic difficulties at the present phase of their transition towards a market economy.
2. Urges OIC Member States, Islamic Institutions and International Organizations to grant generous economic assistance to Albania so that the Government of Albania may successfully implement its development programme.
f) The Kyrgyz Republic
Expressing its understanding of the situation which has arisen in the Kyrgyz Republic after attainment of independence and sovereignty and taking into consideration the economic difficulties of the transitional period to the free market economy;
Expressing its sympathy with the brotherly people of Kyrgyz Republic regarding the consequences of the natural disasters which struck this country, thus affecting the socio-economic situation;
1. Appeals to all Muslims and Islamic financial institutions to be generous and to contribute to the process of overcoming the economic difficulties experienced by Kyrgyz Republic either on bilateral basis or through multilateral and regional organizations so as to enable Kyrgyz Republic to fulfil its economic programme.
2. Appeals also to the Islamic Development Bank to increase its financial and technical assistance to Kyrgyz Republic.
g) The Republic of Uganda
Aware that the Government of the Republic of Uganda is currently experiencing serious strain on its meagre resources as a result of the presence of refugees from neighbouring countries who flock into the country; and recognizing that Uganda is offering asylum to large numbers of refugees whose number will increase if the state of unrest continues to escalate; and also to assist in alleviating the suffering of the internally displaced people in response to the joint appeal by the World Food Programme and the Government of Uganda.
1. Invites Member States, Islamic institutions and international organizations to grant urgent financial and economic assistance to Uganda so that it may cope with the refugee problems and other related consequences. Also stresses the need to enable Uganda to implement its relevant economic and cultural programmes in an urgent and effective manner.
2. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance extended by some Member States and relevant OIC institutions.
3. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
RESOLUTION NO. 14 /33-E
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO NON-OIC COUNTRIES AND MUSLIM COMMUNITIES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolutions Nos. 14/10-E (IS) and 29/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolutions Nos. 14/32-E adopted by the thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Guided by the principles and objectives of the OIC Charter which lay stress on the common objectives and destiny of the peoples of the Ummah, as well as their commitment to consolidate international peace and security;
Having examined the report of the Secretary General:
Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Recalling the previous resolutions adopted by the OIC expressing full solidarity of the Member States with the Government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Taking also into account the resolutions adopted by the Extraordinary Sessions of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Istanbul and Jeddah and followed by the Special Ministerial Meeting held in Islamabad as well as the 21st and 22nd Meetings of the OIC Foreign Ministers which were held in Karachi and Casablanca respectively and the Seventh OIC Summit, and the Work Programme of the 23rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Conakry and the 24th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Jakarta on supporting the Dayton Agreement;
Stressing the principles contained in the Final Document adopted by the enlarged meeting of the OIC Contact Group held in Sarajevo in April 1996;
Welcoming the resolutions of the enlarged meeting of the Ministers of the OIC Contact Group which was held in Geneva in July 1996, especially those relating to the establishment of the Revolving Fund to be allocated to medium and small projects in Bosnia;
Also expressing its appreciation for the work of the Assistance Mobilisation Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina, formed during the OIC Kuala Lumpur meeting, which met in Sarajevo on 27-28 April 2001, towards providing humanitarian and economic assistance for concrete rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
1. Commends the contributions of the OIC Member States at the Donors Conference for the Rehabilitation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was held in Brussels in April 1996.
2. Appeals to Member States, Islamic institutions and other donors to make generous donations to enable full implementation of the IDB programme aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to the Government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the reconstruction of the country and to work for the preservation of the Islamic identity of the Muslim inhabitants of Bosnia.
3. Urges upon the International Community to take efficient measures to ensure the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina and humanitarian assistance relating to return of the refugees and displaced people to their homes by means of OIC Trust Fund for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
4. Requests the OIC Member States to direct the biggest part of their assistance for reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the regions inhabited by Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(b) Chechnya People:
Recalling the concerns and support expressed at the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference held in Casablanca (Kingdom of Morocco) in December 1994 regarding the situation in Chechnya which has deteriorated again in 1999;
Referring to the call to all Member States made by His Excellency S. Mohammad Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chairman of the Eighth Islamic Summit for a rapid humanitarian assistance to the people and refugees and displaced people of Chechnya and its readiness to assist in coordination of this effort; Expressing deep concern over the plight of Muslim refugees and displaced people of Chechnya and humanitarian and material losses resulting from the Chechnya Crisis in 1999;
1. Calls on all Member States, Islamic Philanthropist Institutions and appeals to the international community to urgently provide generous humanitarian assistance to the people and refugees of Chechnya.
2. Recommends to all Member States to encourage their relevant institutions, NGOs and individuals to provide humanitarian assistance for people and refugees of Chechnya.
3. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance provided by Member States and relevant OIC bodies.
4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No.30/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution 15/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recalling also previous resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Conference on assistance to the Kashmiri people, particularly Resolution 23/30-E of the Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Expressing deep sympathy to the victims, their families and people of Jammu and Kashmir who suffered huge losses of life and socio-economic and environmental damage from the massive earthquake that struck South Asia on 8 October 2005;
Welcoming the assistance, contributions and pledges of the international community, particularly the Member States for the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the earthquake victims, which reflect the spirit of Islamic solidarity and cooperation to meet the challenges of unprecedented natural disasters;
Also welcoming the appointment of Ambassador Ezzat Kamel Mufti as Special Representative of OIC Secretary General on Jammu and Kashmir and hoping that this appointment would also facilitate implementation of OICs decision regarding economic assistance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir;
Expressing deep appreciation for the assistance extended to the Kashmiris by some Member States and relevant OIC bodies;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General,
1. Appeals to Member States and Islamic Institutions, such as the Islamic Solidarity Fund, Islamic Development Bank and Charitable Institutions, to grant generous humanitarian assistance to the Kashmiri people whose plight has been aggravated by the devastating earthquake of October 2005.
2. Encourages the international community, particularly donor countries, international financial institutions and relevant international organizations from the Islamic World to deliver swiftly on their pledges and to continue to provide necessary funds and assistance to support the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction work, in the affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
3. Appeals to Member States to contribute whenever possible to the rehabilitation of people affected by the earthquake disaster in order to facilitate the economic and social well-being since many means of livelihood has been damaged or destroyed.
4. Also appeals to Member States and the Islamic Institutions to grant scholarships to the Kashmiri students in different universities and institutions in the OIC countries.
5. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION (COMCEC)
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 30/10-E (IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolution No. 16/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Recalling also Resolution No. 8/7-E(IS) of the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, from 11 to 13 Rajab 1415H (13-15 December 1994) which endorsed the Strategy and the Plan of Action;
Recalling the resolutions of the Ministerial level meetings in different areas of cooperation held under the auspices of the COMCEC;
Also recalling the resolutions adopted at the twenty-one previous sessions of the COMCEC initiating effective action in economic cooperation among the Member States;
Noting with appreciation the efforts of the General Secretariat, subsidiary organs, affiliated and specialized institutions of OIC, working in the field of economy and trade, to implement the resolutions of the COMCEC;
Noting with appreciation that the Strategy for Economic and Commercial Cooperation adopted by the COMCEC allows for cooperation among sub-groups of Member States and is based on the principles giving emphasis to private sector, economic liberalization, integration with the world economy, sanctity of the economic, political, legal and constitutional structures of the Member States and their international obligations;
Appreciating that, starting with its Eleventh Session, COMCEC serves as a platform where the Ministers of Economy of the Member States could exchange views on current world economic issues and that the topic " Trade and Transportation Facilitation Among the OIC Member States” is the theme of the Exchange Views at the 22nd Session of the COMCEC to be held on November 21-24 2006.
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Stresses the need for COMCEC to continue to pay utmost attention to coordination and cooperation among Member States with regard to the membership of new countries that wish to join the World Trade Organization, and to the clarification of positions on the new issues and agreements under consideration within the framework of the WTO with a view to strengthening the negotiating position of these countries at the forthcoming multilateral trade negotiations especially with respect to the built-in agenda and to the new ones.
2. Expresses satisfaction that the Islamic Development Bank has successfully carried out the mandate given by COMCEC to organise Consultative Meetings for Member States to consult and exchange views among themselves and better prepare for the WTO Ministerial Meetings (since 1996 up to 2005) with a view to assisting them to coordinate positions, as much as possible, regarding the issues raised in the Agenda of those meetings.
3. Appreciates the efforts of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in organizing Private Sector Meetings as directed by the COMCEC for an effective implementation of the Plan of Action.
4. Underlines the crucial importance of the active participation of the private sector in economic cooperation among the Member States and appreciating the cooperation and productive support of IDB for all the events of ICCI, and calls upon ICCI to pursue its efforts to further involve the private sector in the economic cooperation among Member States.
5. Welcomes the offer of the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Iraq and Republic of Guinea to host the 11th (along with the 13th Private Sector Meeting), 12th and 13th Trade Fair of Islamic Countries in 2007, 2008 and 2010 respectively.
6. Emphasizes the need to urgently implement the revised Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States the OIC, in compliance with the principles and operational modalities of the Strategy and the procedures set forth in its chapter on Follow-up and Implementation, and invites IDB to continue its active support in ensuring effective and urgent implementation of the revised Plan of Action.
7. Takes note of the approval by COMCEC of the project proposals, which were recommended by the Sessional Committee, and of the designation of some of the
subsidiary organs and affiliated institutions of OIC to coordinate the work needed for the implementation of those projects, and calls upon the Member States to actively participate in the implementation of those project proposals.
8. Invites the Member States to host sectoral Expert Group Meetings in priority areas of cooperation in the Plan of Action, and takes note that the Expert Group Meetings, which were previously offered to host by some Member States, have now become open to other Member States to host, in accordance with the May 2006 deadline set by the previous COMCEC sessions.
9. Recognizes that the Exchange of Views organized during the annual sessions of the COMCEC would be utilized to coordinate the positions of the Member States vis-a-vis major world economic issues.
10. Notes with appreciation that the First Round of the Trade Negotiations under TPSOIC was concluded with success and the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for the TPS-OIC (PRETAS), which includes specific targets and a time-frame for tariff reduction, was adopted by the 21st Session of the COMCEC and presented to the member countries for signing/ratification.
11. Emphasizes that the Framework Agreement on the TPSOIC and the PRETAS are the basis in reaching the 20% intra-OIC trade target set by the Ten-Year Program of Action and in establishing a free trade area among the OIC Member States.
12. Welcomes the decision of the 21st Session of the COMCEC to launch the second round of trade negotiations in 2006, and to expedite the launching of the second round urges Member States of the Trade Negotiating Committee to sign the PRETAS at their earliest convenience.
13. Recommends that the concerned Ministers of the Member States of the Trade Negotiating Committee inaugurate the second round of the trade negotiations in a special ministerial session in order to demonstrate the political will to establish the Trade Preferential System among the Member States of OIC, as well as to expedite the ratification process of the PRETAS and to design a road map for the second round.
14. Expresses its appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for hosting successfully and conducting efficiently the first round of trade negotiations within the framework of the Agreement on Trade Preferential System among Islamic Countries.
15. Expresses its appreciation to the COMCEC Coordination Office and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade for satisfactorily performance of their role as the Secretariat of the Trade Negotiating Committee under the Framework on Trade Preferential System among Islamic Countries.
16. Thanks Islamic Development Bank for contributing to the financing of the First Round of the Trade Negotiations and also for its readiness to provide financial support for the second round to be launched in 2006, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the IDB.
17. Calls upon the Member States to accede to the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System so as to take part in the trade negotiations, and expresses satisfaction that the membership of the Trade Negotiating Committee has increased to 17 by the recent joining of Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Maldives.
18. Notes that the 22nd Session of the COMCEC will be held from 21-24 November 2006, in Istanbul under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Turkey and calls upon the Member States to effectively and actively participate in the meeting.
19. Notes with appreciation that the First Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries was held in Istanbul with the joint organization by ICDT, TURSAB, and CNR under the theme “OIC Tourism: A Meeting Point of Peace and Tolerance”, on the sidelines of the 21st Session of the COMCEC, on 24-26 November 2005.
20. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling relevant resolutions of the Islamic Summit and Foreign Ministers Conference, the most recent of which were resolutions No. 32/10-E (IS) and No. 17/32-E;
Also recalling the provision of the OIC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation among Member States in which tourism identified as a priority area for cooperation;
Taking note of the resolutions on “Tourism Development” adopted by the Second Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM), held in Kuala Lumpur on October 10-13, 2001; the Third ICTM, held Riyadh on 6-9 October 2002 and the 4th ICTM, held in Dakar, on 28-30 March 2005;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Thanks the Republic of Senegal for hosting the Fourth Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers in Dakar on 28-30 March 2005; and congratulates her on organizing, on the sidelines of the 4th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers, a forum on investments in the field of tourism.
2. Thanks the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the Third Experts Group Meeting on Tourism on 11-14 July 2005, in Tehran and takes note of the report and recommendations of that meeting.
3. Thanks the Islamic Development Bank for providing financial contribution for that meeting.
4. Affirms the importance of studying the establishment of OIC Tourism Centre in promoting the development of tourism amongst Member States.
5. Thanks the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade for its efforts to organize a Tourism Fair, in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Member States once every two years and welcomes, in this connection, the offers of the Republic of Lebanon, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Syrian Arab Republic to host the second, third and fourth Tourism Fairs of Islamic Countries, respectively.
6. Thanks the Republic of Turkey for hosting the first tourism fair of Islamic countries (Istanbul, 24-26 November 2005) on the sidelines of the 21st Session of the COMCEC.
7. Takes note of the proposal of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to organize in future on a regular basis Private Sector Forum on Tourism and appreciates the offer of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to hold the first such Forum with the collaboration of this Supreme Council of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Council of the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2006.
8. Welcomes the offer of the Republic of Mali to host the Second Private Sector Forum on Tourism in 2007.
9. Welcomes the offer by the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 5th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers in Baku on 9-12 September 2006 and Urges the Member States to actively participate in this Conference.
10. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ACTIVITIES OF THE OIC SUBSIDIARY ORGANS ACTIVE IN THE ECONOMIC AND TRADE FIELDS
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 33/10-E(IS) of the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;
Recalling Resolution No. 18/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers on the activities of the Subsidiary Organs of the OIC, namely, the Statistical Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC), Ankara, and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), Casablanca;
Having taken note with satisfaction of the activity reports submitted by the representatives of the above-mentioned subsidiary organs;
Expressing its appreciation at the role played by the subsidiary organs in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Commends the role which the SESRTCIC and ICDT are playing each in their respective fields.
2. Lauds the SESRTCIC for the highly instructive six technical reports and studies it presented on the most prominent items of the economic agenda of the Commission and encourages it to keep on its performance in this respect.
3. Commends the SESRTCIC for the quality and relevance of the training workshops and seminars it organizes on various subjects of current interest to the Member countries.
4. Expresses its appreciation for the usefulness of the statistical publications produced by the SESRTCIC and calls upon all member countries to respond to the statistical questionnaires it circulates to them to collect the official and up-to-date information and data.
5. Takes note with satisfaction the active contributions made by the SESRTCIC and ICDT to the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action as well as the various resolutions of the COMCEC and various Ministerial Conferences.
6. Urges the Member States to actively and effectively participate in the work of these organs and expeditiously respond to the questionnaires circulated by them, and closely follow up their documents and studies so as to achieve maximum benefit from these organs in the area of economic cooperation among the Member States.
7. Encourages these organs to intensify contacts with international and regional institutions particularly those working in the framework of the United Nations and others, such as Bretton Woods institutions and to benefit from the studies and reports produced by these institutions.
8. Urges the Member States, which have not done so thus far, to settle their regular mandatory contributions to the budgets of these bodies, and to act for the settlement of their arrears, if any, at the earliest in view of the current financial difficulties being faced by these organs.
9. Notes that the Member States are to benefit from the special services offered by the subsidiary organs, above and beyond the tasks assigned to them in their work programmes, on a contractual basis.
10. Calls upon OIC institutions to hold Sessional Committee Meetings for consultation on a regular basis concurrently with the annual sessions of the COMCEC and Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs, in order to enhance the existing collaboration among OIC institutions, avoid duplication and monitor the progress of the programs assigned to each institution and learn from their respective experiences.
11. Urges Member States to consider, when nominating their representatives to the Board of Directors of these organs, persons who are experienced in the activities of the organs, and expresses the strong desirability of setting up conditions for selection of such representative to those meetings.
12. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
RESOLUTION NO. 19/33-E
ON ACTIVITIES OF THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK (IDB)
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolutions Nos. 34/10-E(IS), 37/10-E(IS) of the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference; and Resolutions Nos. 19/32-E of the Thirty-second Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Having taken note with appreciation of the report on the activities and operations of the Islamic Development Bank;
Noting with satisfaction that the Islamic Development Bank continues to expand its field of operation and activity concerning project financing, import and export trade financing, technical assistance, technical cooperation, special assistance, scholarship programme and other fields of cooperation in the Member States and the Muslim communities;
Also noting with satisfaction that for the meeting of the needs of the Member States in the area of Research and Development, IDB has established the Islamic Research and Training Institute, which is making useful contribution since 1981 and has also established two scholarship schemes and IDB prizes in Islamic economic, Islamic banking, and Science and Technology for encouraging human resources development in the Member States;
Noting with appreciation that the IDB has played an active role in the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation among the Member States as well as the various resolutions of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC);
Also noting with satisfaction that within the framework of its mandate and commitments aimed at meeting the needs of the Member States, the IDB has developed innovative financing instruments, technical and financial assistance programmes, various new schemes, funds and other entities, some of which were initiative under the auspices of the COMCEC for financing of projects in priority sectors and for promotion of intra-OIC trade;
Noting with appreciation that the IDB, while carrying on activities of its own in the area of science and technology, has cooperated closely with the Standing Committee for Science and Technology in the areas of information networking, implementing projects in selected areas of advanced technology, launching scholarship progrmames for advance degrees and providing technical assistance for capacity building in order to help promote science and technology in the Member States;
Having taken note also of the report of the Secretary General in this regard:
1. Expresses its full satisfaction at the devotion and efficiency with which the IDB President and his staff are running this institution to ensure its good performance, as it continues to make an invaluable contribution to the development and progress of Muslim populations.
2. Calls on the Islamic Development Bank to keep up its beneficial action and strive to increase the mobilization of necessary resources for augmenting its services to the Member States, and to the Islamic Ummah at large.
3. Commends the IDB for its donation of 500 million US dollars to assist the victims of the earthquake and the Tsunami in Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand, Somalia, India and Sri Lanka.
4. Notes with satisfaction that the 31ST Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank held in Kuwait on 30-31 May 2006, witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the establishment of the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation by 45 Member States with a declared capital of US$3 billion and a subscribed capital of US$500,000,000.
5. Appreciates the IDB document “Preparation of the Ummah for the 21st Century in the fields of Economic, Commercial and Financial Cooperation” as a long term strategic framework document characterized by far-sightedness which provides an impetus to the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action.
6. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts made by the Task Forces on Intra-OIC Trade, Training, Health and Illiteracy and urges the Member States and relevant bodies to combine their efforts with those of the Task Forces concerned.
7. Commends the IDB and other cooperating institutions for the work done during the meeting of Experts in Health and Illiteracy, Training and Intra-OIC Trade, and the programme of action suggested by the Experts to implement the Summit resolution.
8. Commends the IDB on the steps taken to implement the Resolutions of the 8th, 9th and 10th Islamic Summits on Preparation of the Ummah for the 21st Century.
9. Welcomes the decision taken by the Board of Governors of IDB at its 27th Meeting held in Ouagadougou in October 2002 to establish a special assistance programme for Africa in implementation of the New African Partnership Development Programe (NEPAD).
10. Calls on the Member States to participate in various schemes being implemented by the Bank and to benefit from the financing programme of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Exports Credit and the Islamic Cooperation for the Development of the Private Sector along with IDB’s other existing schemes, programmes and operations.
11. Appreciates the varied activities of IDB aimed at the promotion of the private sector and the enhancement of its role as a key actor in the economic and social development of the Member States, and welcomes the activation of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) in fulfilment of their tasks in supporting private investment and trade in the Member States.
12 Thanks the IDB for its initiative to alleviate the Member States in the framework of the international initiative to alleviate the debt burden of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).
13. Appreciates the Bank’s efforts to create the IDB Infrastructure Fund with a capital of 1500 million US dollar to develop infrastructure in Member States in the fields of energy and hydro-electricity, communications, transport etc. and to support the private sector.
14. Urges Member States, which have not yet done so, to urgently complete the official procedures to join these two corporations as full members, pay their shares of subscribed capitals and start utilizing their facilities on the widest possible scales for the benefit of the private sector entities and their overall development.
15. Welcomes the successful launching of the Sukuk (Islamic Bond) in the world capital markets in July 2003 in the amount of US$400 million, which opened up a whole new avenue for the IDB in its quest for mobilizing additional resources in meeting the development financing needs of the Member States.
16. Appreciates the efforts made by the Islamic Development Bank with respect to the programme to reinforce trade among member states and the Bank’s allocation of US$ 1 billion from its special funds and urges Member States and their relevant bodies as well as their private economic actors to take the necessary measures in order to support the efforts of the Bank to secure the necessary additional funds which amount to $ 1 billion from the collective murabaha and the two-phased murabaha.
17. Requests the General Secretariat, the IDB, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade to jointly organize regional seminars on the various schemes approved by the COMCEC, especially the Export Trade Financing Scheme, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, the Framework Agreement on the Trade Preferential System among OIC Member States and the Islamic Multilateral Clearing Union with a view to ensuring efficient and speedy implementation of these schemes for the benefit of the business community of the Islamic Ummah.
18. Invites the Member States which have not yet done so to subscribe to the second capital increase of the IDB and to settle their outstanding contributions and other financial commitments.
19. Calls upon the Member States to lend their support to the Bank so as to enable it to fulfil its obligations and commitments towards fostering economic development and social progress in the Member States.
20. Appreciates the keen interest that IDB has shown in the efforts at reorganization of the OIC in order to increase the effectiveness of the Organization, and the technical assistance it has provided for preparation of its study to restructure the General Secretariat of the OIC for implementation of quick-win initiatives in response to the challenges of the new millennium.
21. Welcomes the decision taken by the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank at its 31st meeting (Kuwait, 30-31 May 2006) to achieve a substantial increase in the authorized and subscribed capital of the IDB in accordance with a decision taken at the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference (Makkah, 7-8 December 2005).
22. Expresses appreciation for efforts of IDB to make arrangements for preparatory meetings prior to WTO ministerial meetings for consultations and exchange of views among Member States. It also commends IDB support to Member States in their efforts to effectively participate in multilateral trade negotiations and its continued provision of technical and financial assistance to Member States.
23. Expresses appreciation for IDB efforts to accord preferential treatment to companies and contractors from Member States in the implementation of projects financed by the Bank and calls upon IDB to intensify its efforts in this field.
24. Expresses its appreciation for the efforts in the establishment of the World Waqf Foundation, and urges the Member States to cooperate with it for advancing the Waqf affairs towards enhancing its economic and social role.
25. Appreciates the efforts of the Standing Committees in preparing the Ummah for the 21st century and calls upon OIC Institutions to explore the challenges of the 21st century each contributing to its respective field of competence, and to determine the response of the Ummah to these challenges.
26. Urges Member States to take the necessary measures required to cooperate among themselves and with OIC Institutions in achieving the proposed quantitative objectives in the fields of intra-OIC trade, Heath, Literacy and Training.
27. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ACTIVITIES OF THE OIC AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS ACTIVE IN THE ECONOMIC AND TRADE FIELDS
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 35/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 20/32-E of the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Having taken cognizance of the activities of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Organization of the Islamic Shipowners’ Association (OISA);
Expressing its appreciation for the role played by the affiliated institutions in the elaboration and implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States;
Appreciating the role played by these two institutions in their respective fields of action;
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;
1. Notes with appreciation the important role which the ICCI and the OISA are playing in their respective fields.
2. Takes note with appreciation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Eleventh Private Sector Meeting.
3. Congratulates the ICCI for its important initiatives aimed at maintaining contacts with businessmen and contributing to socioeconomic development in then Member States.
4. Appeals to the governments of the Member States to encourage their Federations of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to develop a framework of cooperation with the ICCI and contribute to its programs to enhance trade and investment among the Member States.
5. Takes note with appreciation the recommendations adopted by its 43rd Executive Committee and the 21st General Assembly Meetings held in Jeddah on 10-11 May 2005 and in Abu Dhabi on 19-20 December 2004, respectively.
6. Welcomes the convening of the first regional conference in Africa of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) which was held in Alexandria, Arab Republic of Egypt in May 2006 within the framework of implementation of the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action with a view to invigorating the role of the Chamber in promoting economic and trade cooperation among Member States.
7. Thanks the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Chambers of the Commerce in Malaysia, Cameroon, Turkey and Egypt for hosting the regional offices of ICCI in order to further expand the network of the Islamic Chamber among the private sector.
8. Expresses thanks to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending consistent support to the Islamic Shipowners’ Association, giving donations and hosting its Headquarters.
9. Also expresses thanks to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for allowing the setting up of the Headquarters of the Bakkah Shipping Company (BASCO) in Jeddah.
10. Takes Note with appreciation the recommendations of the 27th Session of the Executive Committee and the 19th Meeting of the General Assembly of the OISA held in Cairo on 12-15 September 2005.
11. Expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting the 27th Session of the Executive Committee and the 19th Meeting of the General Assembly of the OISA in Cairo.
12. Also appreciates the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for extending its support to the Islamic P&I Club enabling it to operate and offering adequate coverage within the Iranian jurisdiction with the minimum legal restriction.
13. Welcomes the setting up of the Bakkah Shipping Company (BASCO) and calls upon the shipping companies, private sector and individuals of the Member States to back up and support the Company in its effort to serve the Islamic Ummah, and calls upon the Member States and their ports and shipping authorities to consider giving the preferential treatment to BASCO.
14. Expresses its thanks to the Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates for hosting the joint meeting of the 26th Executive Committee and 18th General Assembly in Dubai and for approving to host the operations office of the Bakkah Shipping Company without a local sponsor and by granting a peace of land free of cost.
15. Commends the initiative of the OISA Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Club (Asian Protection and Indemnity Club) and the Iranian Shipping Companies specially to the National Iranian Tanker Company for their joint efforts and contributions in having the Asian P&I Club to be under the umbrella of the Islamic Shipowners Association. Also expresses its thanks to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), for initiating and preparing a solid study to set up an Islamic P&I Club.
16. Invites Member States and its maritime companies to register their ships with the Islamic P&I (Protection and Indemnity Club) in Qeshm Island in Islamic Republic of Iran, in order the Club meet the level of the existing International P&I Clubs and also to encourage the treatment of the ships under cover of the Club on equal footing with national ships at the member states seaports. All the ports authorities of the member states are urged to cooperate and offer all supports and facilities to the acceptance of Islamic P&I Club covers ad certificate of entries issued by the Club. The insurance companies in the member states also to facilitate all kind of services to Islamic P&I Cub in accordance with support of the Club covers.
17. Commends the initiative of the Organization of the Islamic Shipowners’ Association for setting up a web-based Cooperative Information System to serve the maritime companies of Member States.
18. Urges the Member States, which have not yet done so, to sign the Statute of the Islamic Shipowners’ Association.
19. Appeals to Member States to continue to extend their support and assistance to the ICCI and the OISA.
20. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ISLAMIC COMMON MARKET
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling all resolution of the Islamic Summit and Foreign Ministers Conference, the most recent of which were resolutions No. 36/10-E(IS) and No. 21/32-E; Also recalling the provision of the OIC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation among Member States;
Takes note of the report of the Second Experts Group Meeting on the Establishment of Islamic Common Market, held in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 5 and 6 July 2004;
Considering that the establishment of an Islamic Common Market or any other form of economic integration shall not contradict with the existing or possible international obligations of the Member States;
Taking into account that the formation of Islamic Common Market is a long-run process and requires comprehensive studies and at the same time requires its own implementation and follow up arrangements;
Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the matter;
1. Emphasizes the importance of implementing the Plan of Action to strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States; the Agreement on Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments among Member States; the General Agreement on Economic, Technical and Commercial Cooperation among Member States; the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among Member States; the Agreement on the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, and the Agreement on the Islamic Corporation for the Development of Private Sector for the purpose of strengthening economic and commercial cooperation among Member States with a view to achieving the ultimate objective i.e. the establishment of an Islamic Common market.
2. Emphasizes also the need to reinforce economic cooperation establishing free trade zones and common markets among the Member States through their regional groupings as a positive stage towards the ultimate goal of creating an Islamic Common Market.
3. Thanks the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for hosting the Islamic International Trade Fair in Jeddah from 9-14 June 2001, organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the IDB and ICDT noting that a seminar was also held concurrently by the IDB, ICCI and the Jeddah Chamber on ways and means of promoting intra-OIC trade.
4. Takes note of the recommendations contained in the report of the Second Meeting of the aforementioned Experts Group, in particular setting up of a working group.
5. Requests the COMCEC to examine the recommendations contained in the report of the experts group meeting, particularly convening the meeting of the relevant working group.
6. Requests the COMCEC to coordinate the efforts and studies undertaken or to be undertaken in this regard by ICDT or the other relevant OIC institutions and centres with a view to taking necessary practical steps to reach the objectives related the establishment of an Islamic Common Market.
7. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a progressive report thereon to the Twenty-second Session of the COMCEC and to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
RESOLUTION NO. 22/33-E
ON PROMOTION OF COOPERATION AMONG THE STOCK EXCHANGES OF THE OIC COUNTRIES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 38/10-E(IS) adopted by the Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;
Recalling Resolution No. 22/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Noting that in the context of current world economic situation the OIC member states require to develop their economic structures and consolidate economic relations among themselves and with other countries by creating the appropriate climate to attract and stabilize investments;
Commending the approach of the Member States towards developing the private sector as well as encouraging the privatisation of their productive institutions;
Taking note of the importance of taking advantage of the benefits granted under the Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to market the products of the OIC Member States;
Appreciating the efforts made by most Member States to develop their stock exchanges by mobilizing and attracting national savings and channelling them into local investment opportunities to avoid flight of capital abroad;
Expressing its desire to avoid disruptive capital flows and secure the Stock exchanges of OIC Members from any future financial crisis;
Noting the advantages accruing from a specialized institution under the aegis of the Organization of the Islamic Conference concerned with coordination, monitoring and development of the stock markets of the OIC member states;
Taking note with appreciation the study prepared by SESRTCIC on the establishment of an Islamic Stock Exchange Union;
1. Urges Member States to continue to take the necessary steps to mobilize internal resources in the form of stocks and shares and to facilitate the optimal utilization of such resources in profitable investment projects both in public and private sectors.
2. Invites the Member States to press on with undertaking the necessary steps to develop their stock markets through appropriate legislations so as to enable their markets to be open to the outside world facilitating the in-flow of capital available in foreign markets, while taking into consideration the economic and monetary interests of these States.
3. Urges Member States to make every possible effort to expand the establishment of private companies facilitating wide subscription of shares among large numbers of individuals;
4. Invites Member States to set up a comprehensive database on their respective stock exchange and investment regimes and to explore the possibility of concluding regional agreements among themselves to establish links among their stock exchanges;
5. Expresses its appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for hosting and to the Istanbul Stock Exchange for organizing, in collaboration with SESRTCIC, ICDT and IDB, the Round Table Meeting on “Promotion of Cooperation among the Stock Exchanges of the OIC Member States”, held in Istanbul on 28-29 March 2005.
6. Notes with appreciation the creation of a platform for cooperation among the OIC stock exchanges called “Islamic stock exchange forum” as an outcome of the Round Table Meeting on “Promotion of Cooperation among the Stock Exchanges of the OIC Member States”, and calls upon the Member States to offer to host the meeting of the Islamic Stock Exchange Forum in 2006 and to actively participate in the activities of the Forum.
7. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON CONTINUOUS ASSISTANCE TO THE SAHELIAN MEMBER STATES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 23/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Noting with concern the difficult situation of the Sahelian Member States affected by drought;
Taking note of the efforts of the Sahelian Member States to overcome these difficulties;
Expressing its appreciation to the OIC Member States that have contributed to the financing of the first programme of assistance to the Sahelian Member States;
Having also taken note of the special emergency aid programme of US$50 million which was initiated by the Islamic Development Bank in favour of the Sahelian Member States;
Recalling the Resolution of the 6th Islamic Summit Conference deciding to establish a special OIC/IDB/CILSS Programme for Sahel;
Considering the need to ensure effective implementation of the OIC/IDB/CILSS Programme as adopted by the resolution of the 6th Islamic Summit Conference;
Expressing its appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for having initiated a new programme of $ 50 million in favour of the Sahelian Member States which is under implementation;
Expressing its appreciation to the State of Kuwait and the Islamic Development Bank for their contributions of $30 and $20 million respectively to the financing of the programme;
Expressing appreciation for the mission undertaken by the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to visit African countries affected by drought, namely Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Senegal and Niger during 24-31 March, 2005;
Expresses its appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its continuous support to the Sahelian Member States affected by drought;
1. Reaffirms the solidarity of the Islamic Ummah with the peoples of the Sahel.
2. Calls for the effective implementation of the OIC/IDB/CILSS Programme for the Sahel.
3. Urges Member States to contribute voluntarily and in accordance with the capacity to the financing of this programme.
4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON COOPERATION IN ENERGIZING TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN COTTON SECTOR
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 5/10-E (IS) which expresses the concern of the Member States over the sharp decline in the prices of raw materials, particularly those produced and exported by the least-developed countries;
Recalling Resolution No. 6/10-E (IS) which reiterates the need to give special attention to the eradication of poverty, notably in the least-developed and low-income Islamic countries;
Recalling Resolution No. 24/32-E on the Cooperation in Energizing Trade and Investment in Cotton Sector;
Taking into account the appeal made by the OIC to the international community to assist the Least-Developed Countries to be progressively integrated into the world economy and to strengthen their capabilities to participate in international trade;
Welcoming the initiative of Malaysia, in her capacity as the Chairman of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference, to adopt programmes of capacity-building for poverty alleviation;
Noting with regret that the policy of subsidy practiced by certain developed countries to support their cotton producers results in the fall of the commodity price of cotton in the international market penalizing the poorest cotton producer countries by drastically reducing their export revenues;
1. Underlines the necessity of taking all possible measures within the OIC to support the least-developed cotton-producer countries in their legitimate demand of securing greater added value in the processing of this product.
2. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Burkina Faso, the OIC General Secretariat, the IDB and ICDT for successfully organising the Forum on “Energizing Trade and Investment in the Cotton Sector of OIC Member States”, in Ouagadougou, on 18-19 April 2005.
3. Expresses satisfaction at the holding of the Forum on Energizing Trade and Investment in the Cotton Sector of the OIC Member States and in this connection, thanks the IDB for its initiative to contribute to financing part of the expenses of this Forum.
4 Thanks the Secretary General for his initiative to contact the heads of state and government and other officials of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Chad and Gambia on this question during his visit to these countries on 24-31 March, 2005.
5. Expresses its satisfaction at the IDB’s financing of the visit of experts from certain Member Sates to prepare specialized studies on cotton in order to prepare for the Forum on Energizing Trade and Investment in the cotton sector.
6. Thanks the Republic of Turkey for hosting the “2nd Experts Group Meeting on Enhancing Production Efficiency and International Competitiveness in OIC Cotton Producing Countries” from 28-30 March 2006 in Izmir and thanks the Islamic Development Bank for providing financial contribution for this meeting and organizing the first experts meeting on the promoting production, effectiveness and international competitiveness of cotton producing Member countries of the IDB Group at the Bank’s Headquarters in Jeddah from 22-23 March 2005.
7. Notes with appreciation that the Steering Committee was established by the Second Experts Group Meeting (EGM) on Enhancing Production Efficiency and International Competitiveness in OIC Cotton Producing Countries to monitor the developments in this field and that the Second EGM agreed that the revised Action Plan for Cooperation Among the OIC Member States in the area of Cotton be finalized at the Third EGM to be held in September 2006 in Turkey and be submitted to the 22nd Session of the COMCEC for consideration.
8. Thanks the IDB for its efforts aimed at including the issues of cotton in the events organized by the Bank within the framework of its programme of technical assistance to the Member States of the World Trade Organization.
9. Commends the IDB for providing financial assistance to the field visit made by officials from Burkina Faso to the headquarters of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade.
10. Calls upon Islamic Development Bank, in particular, to consider financing cotton processing industry from the resources allocated under the IDB/NEPAD Partnership Programme, for the Least-developed Countries Programme as well as any other source under the IDB Group.
11. Calls upon specialised OIC institutions to explore all possibilities to foster the development of cotton processing infrastructure in the concerned countries.
12. Calls upon the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to activate the Cotton Council in order to foster partnership in the private sector in the cotton sector.
13. Underlines the necessity for the Member States concerned to adopt the required concrete measures to develop cotton processing industries.
14. Recommends that the cotton sector should be included in the programme of capacity-building of OIC adopted at the initiative of Malaysia.
15. Requests the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON CAPACITY BUILDING FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN THE OIC MEMBER STATES
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 6/10-E (IS) adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit Conference;
Recalling also Resolution No. 25/32-E adopted by the Thirty-second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Welcoming the initiative of Malaysia to establish a Capacity Building Programme in the OIC Countries aimed at poverty alleviation in less developed and low income OIC countries;
Focusing on concrete deliverables to complement and give effect to the resolutions adopted by the OIC in this area;
Stressing the need to identify projects aimed at strengthening capacity-building in human resources development and the development of infrastructures particularly in the areas of health, education, agriculture, science and technology;
1. Thanks the Government of Malaysia for hosting the series of senior officials meetings of the Steering Committee to Establish a Capacity Building Programme for OIC Countries to consider the Programme’s contents and its appropriate mechanism.
2. Welcomes the launching of the Capacity-building Programme for OIC countries on 29 March, 2005 in Kuala Lumpur by Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, with four pilot projects having been identified under phase one of the Programme as follow.
(i) Capacity Building for the Development of Fisheries Sector in Bangladesh.
(ii) Capacity Building in Planning, Negotiating and Management for Exploitation of Oil and Mineral Resources in Mauritania.
(iii) Capacity Building in Palm Oil Industry, Livestock Breeding and Animal Faltering Technology in Sierra Leone. (iv) Capacity-building in small enterprise and micro-finance development under Shari’ah Banking Scheme for the Tsunami survivors in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam in Indonesia.
3. Thanks the Government of Brunei Darussalam for hosting the Fourth Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Steering Committee on the Capacity Building Programme for OIC Countries (CBP4OICC) in Bandar Seri Begawan, on 29-30 March 2006 (29-30 Safar 1427H).
4. Takes note of four projects for implementation in the Second Phase as recommended by IDB, namely Guinea (mango processing), Jordan (wind energy/improving investment environment), Maldives (fisheries) and Yemen (economic policy formulation), without prejudice to the other projects identified earlier, namely in Burkina Faso, Comoros, Palestine, Senegal and Somalia.
5. Underlines the role played by the Islamic Development Bank in facilitating the implementation of the Programme referred to above, and commends the resolution issued by the 31st Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank held in Kuwait, on 30 and 31 May 2006, relating to the establishment of a Fund to combat poverty in line with the resolution issued in this respect by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in December 2005.
6. Understands that participation in the Programme is on a voluntary basis and it is not intended to set up any new fund or institutional structure.
7. Calls upon the Member States to extend all voluntary support to the Programme in the spirit of progress and development of the Islamic Ummah.
8. Requests the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
ON THE WORLD FUND FOR SOLIDARITY AND POVERTY ERADICATION
The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 23 to 25 Jumada Al-Awwal 1427H (19-21 June 2006),
Recalling the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 7-8 December, 2005;
Recalling Resolution No. 21/10-P (IS) adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 28/31-P adopted by the 31st Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and Resolution No. 26/32-E adopted by the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;
Referring to Resolution 265/57 adopted by the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on establishing the World Fund for Solidarity and Poverty Eradication;
1. Extends thanks to the Republic of Tunisia for its initiative to make a financial donation to the Fund.
2. Reiterates its call on OIC Member States to work for ensuring support to the World Fund for Solidarity and Poverty Eradication by contributing to the mobilization of the resources necessary to the launching of its operations and the achievement of its noble objectives.
3. Encourages the governments of the OIC Member States to urge the civil society, the private sector and individuals to contribute effectively to financing the Fund as a mechanism for combating poverty in the most needy states, including the publicity of the Fund and other relevant measures as well as mobilizing financial support to the Fund.
5. Request the Secretary General to follow up on the implementation of this resolution and to report thereon to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
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