Islamic Cooperation Organization: Kuwait is an active partner in translating Islamic solidarity into tangible initiatives

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), affirmed on Thursday that Kuwait is a fundamental partner in the shared Islamic endeavor, transforming Islamic solidarity into concrete positions, initiatives, and outcomes.

In his first press interview since his election as Secretary-General, granted exclusively to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Ould Cheikh Ahmed stated that Kuwait’s role in diplomacy, mediation, and humanitarian work, along with its established track record in these fields, adds significant value to the OIC’s mission, particularly at a stage where there is a pressing need for greater dialogue, consensus, and solidarity among member states.

He added, “The coming phase offers both sides the opportunity to enhance cooperation in qualitative areas, foremost among them humanitarian action, crisis response, mediation, and preventive diplomacy, alongside supporting sustainable development and food and water security.”

He pointed to the potential to build upon Kuwait’s humanitarian legacy to develop joint institutional initiatives and activate coordination in international forums. This would strengthen the unified Islamic stance on priority issues and challenges, contributing to transforming 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 he will place at the top of the OIC’s agenda, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said, “The coming phase requires genuine reform of the OIC, shifting it from managing crises to generating initiatives, and from issuing decisions to implementing them.”

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

He emphasized the importance of establishing clear mechanisms for implementation, monitoring, and accountability so that the OIC’s decisions are translated into tangible programs and results, making the organization more cohesive and effective, and ensuring that Islamic solidarity is embodied in joint action rather than limited to positions and statements.

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

He underscored the importance of prioritizing shared issues and interests, activating mediation mechanisms to bridge differences and avoid polarization, and translating consensus in positions into joint action through initiatives and projects in the fields of economy, development, security, science, and technology.

Regarding his extensive diplomatic experience and its utilization for the benefit of the organization, Ould Cheikh Ahmed stated that experience in international diplomacy and UN work constitutes a valuable asset for enhancing the OIC’s political and diplomatic presence by expanding its partnerships with states and international and regional organizations, and strengthening coordination with the United Nations and multilateral bodies.

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

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

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

In this context, he viewed the convening of an economic summit for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as a significant step toward translating this orientation into practical programs and projects by mobilizing resources, encouraging joint investments, supporting less-developed member states, promoting intra-organizational trade, and building economic partnerships that serve mutual interests.

He stated that the desired reform is a comprehensive one that makes the organization more effective, flexible, and influential, enabling it to better manage and anticipate crises, and to strengthen political, economic, and developmental cooperation in service of the interests of its member states and the issues of the Islamic world.

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

He expressed his hope that member states will strengthen unity and solidarity, coordinate their positions, and support the organization’s initiatives and stances in international forums, while also participating in the implementation of its projects and initiatives, particularly in the economic and developmental fields.

When asked about the Islamic Court of Justice affiliated with the organization, which has not yet been fully operationalized, Ould Cheikh Ahmed stated that work will be intensified in the coming days to enhance consultations with member states and support efforts aimed at completing the legal and institutional track for the court, enabling it to transition from the establishment phase to the exercise of its actual role, thereby adding qualitative value to the system of shared Islamic work and reinforcing justice, the rule of law, and the protection of rights.

He clarified that the court is an institutional project that strengthens the justice system and legal work in the Islamic world, praising the State of Kuwait for hosting its headquarters.

He affirmed that the organization’s success is linked to its ability to work in a spirit of consensus and solidarity, and to translate principles and decisions into practical steps and tangible results. He pledged that over the coming years, he will work to strengthen the unity of the Islamic front, develop consultation and coordination mechanisms, and commit to enhancing the organization’s presence and effectiveness in international forums, as well as developing partnerships with regional and international organizations.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed is the 13th Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, having been elected in late August last year to succeed former Secretary-General Hussein Tav. His appointment is underpinned by a rich diplomatic and United Nations career spanning several decades.

Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed held several senior positions, most notably as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen from 2015 to 2018. He also served in high-level roles at the United Nations, including assignments in Libya and as head of the UN mission to combat Ebola, as well as serving as Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria and Yemen.

He also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad from 2018 to 2022, in addition to holding other governmental and diplomatic posts.