The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held its 41st session in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 18 – 19 June 2014. The ministerial conference, which was held under the theme “Exploring Areas of Islamic Cooperation”, witnessed the transfer of the Council’s chairmanship from the Republic of Guinea to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Conference was addressed by His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and chairman of the 41st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The OIC Secretary General, H.E. Iyad Ameen Madani, presented a detailed report in which he reviewed the situation in the Muslim world and the most salient developments in the Middle East, notably on the cause of Palestine and the OIC’s efforts on Al-Quds Al-Shareef. The Secretary General also enlightened the Foreign Ministers on the OIC’s endeavours with regard to the on-going crises in Central Africa, Myanmar, Nigeria and Mali.

The latest developments in the situation in Iraq and Syria and their implications for security and stability in the region were also featured in the agenda of the Conference. Also included in the agenda were the situations in Libya and the conditions of Muslim minorities in Myanmar and The Philippines. Contact groups on Jammu and Kashmir, Myanmar, Mali and Somalia were held on the margins of the Conference, which witnessed a brainstorming session on the subject: Challenges of Peace in a Changing Muslim world: The OIC’s vision. Also, the issues of terrorism, extremism and sectarian differences threatening security and stability in the region were featured prominently on the Council’s agenda. 

The Conference witnessed a high-level attendance, including many OIC Foreign Ministers, the Secretary General’s envoys to Central Africa, Mali, Myanmar and the envoys of the United States of America, Britain, France, Canada, Australia and Italy to the OIC. Also several heads of international and regional organizations, including the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Mr Nabil Araby, attended the Conference.

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