Baghdad Hosts 52nd OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as Iraq Proposes Economic Integration Initiative
Hassanein Kamel, the official spokesperson for the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad, confirmed that the opening session was attended by representatives of all 55 member states, alongside UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and representatives of around 40 organisations.
Speaking at a press conference, Kamel explained that the meeting opened with an address by the Turkish foreign minister, who chaired the previous session, before Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein assumed the presidency of the current session. Hussein stressed the importance of using Baghdad’s hosting of the meeting to strengthen joint Islamic action and coordinate positions on regional and international challenges.
Kamel noted that the Palestinian cause remains at the forefront of the organisation’s priorities. He highlighted calls to end the Israeli occupation, safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and halt settlement expansion, annexation, forced displacement and policies aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem. He also stressed the need to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need and to protect civilians.
He added that the Iraqi foreign minister emphasised the importance of expanding economic and trade cooperation among member states, promoting investment and development partnerships, and relying on dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful solutions to address crises. Greater regional coordination was also identified as essential to strengthening security and stability.
Kamel said Iraq aims, during its presidency of the current session, to improve the OIC’s performance, enhance the effectiveness of its institutions and translate shared positions into practical programmes and initiatives that meet the aspirations of Muslim communities. Baghdad also seeks to bridge differences and coordinate member states’ positions on key issues.
Meanwhile, Kamel stated that Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi called on OIC member states to strengthen cooperation amid sensitive regional and international circumstances, reaffirming Iraq’s support for the Palestinian cause as the central issue of the Islamic world.
Al-Zaidi also presented an Iraqi initiative to expand cooperation among member states in transportation, railway connectivity, energy, telecommunications, digital payment systems and commercial platforms. The proposal also includes exchanging expertise to address common challenges, with the aim of advancing economic integration and strengthening connectivity among member states.
For his part, OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed stressed the importance of continuing joint economic programmes and deepening cooperation among member states. He called for intensified efforts to end Israeli violations against civilians and confront policies aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem and altering its demographic composition.
