SESRIC participated in the “4^th Consultative Forum of the Regional Cooperation Organizations in the OIC Region,” jointly organized by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) on 19-20 November 2024 in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco.

The Forum aimed to foster collaboration among the stakeholders by sharing information and leveraging the competencies of different partners to achieve developmental results. The event brought together 40 representatives from 22 international organizations, including UN Agencies, OIC institutions, and Regional Cooperation Organizations (RCOs). It served as a platform for exchange of views and discussions to improve cross-border connectivity, enhance the investment climate and competitiveness, integrate Islamic trade and financial systems, and facilitate cooperation to provide regional public goods.

The Forum focused on the following objectives:

• Enhancing awareness among partners on collaboration opportunities at the regional level and facilitating policy dialogue between IsDB, ICDT and Regional Cooperation Organizations (RCOs) in the OIC region.
• Seeking support and cooperation in the implementation of ongoing and proposed regional integration programs/projects in different sub-regions of the RCOs in the OIC region.
• Facilitating the exchange of views and coordinate efforts to strengthen regional integration with development partners.
• Providing a platform to establish durable partnerships to support regional integration.
• Promoting the exchange of information and best practices focused on facilitating intra-regional trade and investment.

The program consisted of four sessions; three thematic discussions and a roundtable session.

The thematic sessions addressed the following topics:

• Best Practices of Digitalization of Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion Services in the OIC region.
• The Role of Economic Corridors in Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Development in the OIC region.
• The Contribution of Trade to Food Security in the OIC region.

During the roundtable session, SESRIC highlighted potential cooperation activities within the framework of the joint program focusing on the digitization of trade and investment services, economic corridors, and food security, scheduled for implementation in 2025-2026.

This event was a continuation of the previous similar Forums that started in 2016 with the objective of sharing the RCOs’ views and experiences in promoting regional cooperation and integration in the OIC region.

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