OIC Secretary-General: Kuwait's mediation and humanitarian efforts add value to the organization's journey

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, affirmed on Thursday that Kuwait is a fundamental partner in the journey of joint Islamic action and in translating 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 stated that Kuwait’s role in diplomacy, mediation, and humanitarian work, along with its track record in these fields, adds significant value to the Organization’s progress, particularly at this stage where there is a heightened need for 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 potential of building upon 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, he noted, 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 consultations and coordination with Kuwaiti officials on matters of concern to the Islamic world.

Regarding the priorities Ould Cheikh Ahmed will place at the top of the Organization’s agenda, he said that the next phase requires genuine reform of the OIC to shift it from crisis management to initiative-building, 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 translate into concrete programs and results, making it more cohesive and effective. He stressed that Islamic solidarity should be manifested in joint action, not limited to statements and declarations.

He noted that leading an organization comprising 57 countries with diverse 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 underscored the importance of prioritizing common issues and interests, activating mediation mechanisms to bridge differences 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 expertise in international diplomacy and UN work constitutes a valuable asset for enhancing the OIC’s political and diplomatic presence. This can be achieved by expanding its partnerships with countries and international and regional organizations, and by strengthening coordination with the United Nations and multilateral action institutions.

He affirmed the possibility of utilizing his experience to support preventive diplomacy, mediation, and consensus-building, shifting from reactive responses to proactive engagement 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 issue remains the central cause, taking precedence in the organization’s interests and work agenda. The organization prioritizes continuing diplomatic efforts to strengthen partnerships with international organizations, 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 emphasized the importance of enhancing the organization’s crisis response capabilities, 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 strengthening political and diplomatic performance to activating cooperation and development among member states.

In this context, he viewed the convening of an Economic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a significant step toward translating this direction into practical programs and projects by mobilizing resources, encouraging joint investments, supporting least-developed member states, enhancing intra-trade, and building economic partnerships that serve common 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 enhance political, economic, and developmental cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of its member states and the causes of the Islamic world.

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

He expressed his hope that member states would strengthen unity and solidarity, coordinate positions, and support the organization’s initiatives and stances at international forums, while also participating in the implementation of 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 operationalized, he stated that consultations with member states would be intensified in the coming days to support efforts aimed at completing the court’s legal and institutional process, enabling it to transition from the establishment phase to exercising its actual role. This would serve as a qualitative addition to the framework of joint Islamic action and reinforce 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 framework in the Islamic world, commending the State of Kuwait for hosting its headquarters.

He emphasized that the organization’s success depends on the ability to work with a spirit of consensus and solidarity, translating principles and decisions into practical steps and tangible results. He pledged to work in the coming years to strengthen Islamic unity, 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.

Al-Walid Al-Sheikh Ahmed is the 13th Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, elected in late August last year, succeeding former Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha, drawing on a diplomatic and multilateral career spanning decades.

Ahmed bin Ahmed al-Jaber held several senior positions, most notably serving as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen from 2015 to 2018. He also held high-level roles within the UN, including work in Libya, heading the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, and serving as Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria and Yemen. Additionally, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and for Mauritians Abroad from 2018 to 2022, alongside holding other governmental and diplomatic posts.