The United Nations (UN) and the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are set to strengthen cooperation
through the establishment of a permanent joint task force and integrated data
and information-sharing systems. These and other initiatives aimed at expanding
partnership and coordination in various areas were discussed at the 16th
Biennial General Cooperation Meeting in Astana.
«We are here to see how we can
cooperate together in the areas of common interests, in the common member
states of the two organizations, to work on issues that affect humanity, going
from peace to climate change and development issues, fighting poverty and extremism
and all other challenges. We have several institutions in both organizations,
and the institutions from our different organizations working in specific
domains meet every two years to work out joint activities aimed at common
interests of building a better world and creating peace and sustainable
development,» said Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for
Economic Affairs.
An important aspect of the
cooperation between the UN and the OIC is addressing contemporary threats and
challenges faced by the member states. A special role is given to food security
issues, which the countries intend to tackle together. To this end, the parties
signed a joint memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the meeting.
«This document is to materialize
the excellent bilateral cooperation that already exists between the two
organizations. But it’s important then to have a document signed, which will
guide us how to move forward in terms of our cooperation. We are looking
forward to issues related with capacity building, country based approach, where
there are nine-ten countries that have agreed that the two organizations will
discuss how to work together. And Kazakhstan is one of the countries that is
chosen. Some of the countries are in Africa, including Gambia, Djibouti,
Somalia, and also some are here in Central Asia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan,»
noted Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Chief Multilateral Affairs Officer at the Islamic
Organization for Food Security.
