OIC: Kuwait is an active partner in turning Islamic solidarity into concrete initiatives

Jeddah, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed stressed on Thursday that Kuwait is a key partner in the journey of joint Islamic action, transforming Islamic solidarity into tangible stances, initiatives, and results.

In his first press conference since his election as secretary-general, which he dedicated to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Ould Cheikh Ahmed said that Kuwait’s role in diplomacy, mediation, and humanitarian work, along with its track record in these fields, adds value to the Organization’s journey, especially at this stage where there is a growing need for more dialogue, consensus, and solidarity among member states.

He added that the upcoming phase offers an opportunity for both sides to enhance cooperation in key areas, foremost among them humanitarian action, crisis response, mediation, and preventive diplomacy, alongside supporting sustainable development, food security, and water security.

He pointed to the possibility of building on Kuwait’s contributions in humanitarian work to develop joint institutional initiatives and activate coordination in international forums, thereby strengthening a unified Islamic position on priority issues and challenges. This would help transform existing cooperation into more effective and sustainable partnerships that serve the interests of member states and enhance the presence of the Islamic world on the international stage.

In this regard, he expressed his desire to visit Kuwait to enhance consultation and coordination with Kuwaiti officials on issues of concern to the Islamic world.

Regarding the priorities Ould Cheikh Ahmed will place at the top of the Organization’s agenda, he said the next phase requires genuine reform of the OIC to shift it from crisis management to initiative-making, and from issuing decisions to implementing them.

He outlined his strategic vision, which rests on six pillars: institutional reform to enhance the Organization’s efficiency; strengthening unity and solidarity among member states; supporting security and stability; resolving conflicts; building economic, scientific, and technological partnerships; and investing in youth, women, and human capital, while enhancing the Organization’s presence and international influence.

He emphasized the importance of establishing clear mechanisms for implementation, follow-up, and accountability, so that the Organization’s decisions become concrete programs and results, making Islamic solidarity manifest in joint action rather than limited to statements and declarations.

He noted that leading an organization comprising 57 diverse countries with varying priorities and circumstances represents a significant responsibility, adding that diversity can be a source of strength if differences are managed well and consensus is built.

He stressed the importance of prioritizing common issues and interests, activating mediation mechanisms to bridge viewpoints and move away from polarization, and translating consensus into joint action through initiatives and projects in the fields of economy, development, security, science, and technology.

On his extensive diplomatic experience and how he intends to leverage it for the Organization, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said that experience in international diplomacy and UN work represents a significant asset for enhancing the OIC’s political and diplomatic presence by expanding its partnerships with countries and international and regional organizations, and strengthening coordination with the United Nations and multilateral action institutions.

He affirmed the possibility of leveraging his experience to support preventive diplomacy, mediation, and consensus-building, shifting from reacting to events to anticipating them through practical initiatives and building international alliances that serve the priority issues of the Islamic world.

When asked about the priority of the Palestinian issue within the Organization’s agenda, he said the Palestinian issue remains the central issue that tops the Organization’s attention and agenda. The Organization prioritizes continuing diplomatic efforts to strengthen partnerships with international organizations to mobilize international support for the implementation of the two-state solution, expose Israeli violations in the media, and support legal efforts to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for crimes committed against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.

Regarding the Organization’s need to develop its crisis management mechanisms and implement reforms, he stressed the importance of developing the Organization’s crisis response mechanisms, noting that institutional reform has become an urgent necessity driven by rapid transformations in the international system. He added that, in his view, this reform extends from enhancing political and diplomatic performance to activating cooperation and development among member states.

In this context, he saw that holding an economic summit for the OIC could represent an important step in translating this direction into practical programs and projects by mobilizing resources, encouraging joint investments, supporting less-developed member states, enhancing intra-organizational trade, and building economic partnerships that serve common interests.

He said the desired reform is a comprehensive one that makes the Organization more effective, flexible, and influential, enabling it to better handle and anticipate crises, and enhance political, economic, and developmental cooperation to serve the interests of its member states and the issues of the Islamic world.

He added that the success of any vision for the upcoming phase cannot be achieved by the Secretariat’s efforts alone; it requires genuine partnership and shared commitment from all member states. The Secretariat is a tool for implementing the will of member states, and the greater the consensus and political support, the greater our capacity for achievement.

He expressed his hope that member states will enhance unity and solidarity, coordinate positions, and support the Organization’s initiatives and stances in international forums, as well as participate in implementing its projects and initiatives, particularly in economic and developmental fields.

When asked about the Islamic Court of Justice affiliated with the Organization, which has not yet been fully activated, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said that consultations with member states will be intensified in the coming days to support efforts aimed at completing the legal and institutional process for the Court, enabling it to move from the establishment phase to exercising its actual role. This would serve as a qualitative addition to the joint Islamic action system and enhance justice, the rule of law, and the protection of rights.

He clarified that the Court is an institutional project that strengthens the justice and legal action system in the Islamic world, appreciating Kuwait’s role in hosting its headquarters.

He affirmed that the Organization’s success is linked to the ability to work with a spirit of consensus and solidarity, transforming principles and decisions into practical steps and tangible results. He pledged to work in the coming years to enhance Islamic unity, develop consultation and coordination mechanisms, and commit to strengthening the Organization’s presence and effectiveness in international forums and developing partnerships with regional and international organizations.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed is the 13th Secretary-General of the OIC, elected in late August last year, succeeding former Secretary-General Haitham al-Ghais. He relies on a diplomatic and UN career spanning decades.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed held several high-ranking positions, most notably as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen between 2015 and 2018. He also held senior roles at the UN, including work in Libya, head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, and Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria and Yemen. He also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation with Mauritians Abroad from 2018 to 2022, in addition to holding other governmental and diplomatic posts.

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