JEDDAH – The foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called for quick steps to bring an end to the suffering of the people displaced by war in the conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Wrapping up the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent on Wednesday, the ministers underscored the need for earliest stabilization of the situation in MENA through urgent political resolution of crises in accordance with the principles of the UN and OIC Charters and international norms. They also reiterated full support for the Palestine and Jerusalem causes with emphasizing the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and return to their ancestral places of residence. The two-day session with the theme of "Education and Enlightenment: Path to Peace and Creativity," underscored that dissemination of knowledge about enlightened Islam is an important tool to combat the ideology of terrorism, violent extremism and religious fanaticism. The Tashkent Declaration, adopted by the ministers, appreciated the comprehensive efforts to combat radicalization and extremism using the true values of Islam and establishment of a broad educational process, inducting in the religious sphere. "We highly appreciate the launch of an OIC Messaging Centre to counter the sham narratives of radical and extremist groups. We are continuing to advocate for further close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, spread of extremist ideology, especially among the youth." The declaration also underlined the importance of sharing experience among OIC member states in addressing the issues of economic slowdown, as well as in introducing the innovative technologies, forming a favorable investment and business climate, and implementing the long term mutually beneficial projects in priority areas of cooperation and infrastructure development. "A priority attention must be paid to increasing investments and inputs in human capital, training an educated and intellectually developed generation which is the most important value and a decisive power in achieving the objectives of democratic development, modernization and renewal." The session commended the adoption of the new "OIC Ten-Year Program of Actions," expressing confident that its implementation will contribute to further development of trade and investment, transfer of high technologies, promotion of private sector, industrialization, scientific spheres and education in Muslim countries in the 21st century. The ministers also called upon member states and relevant OIC institutions to continue and further expand the programs and activities in the field of higher education, in particular in the framework of educational exchange program, as well as to put efforts to improve the training programs and courses, strengthen the links between higher educational institutions, promote the joint scientific and research projects, and establish scholarships and programs of vocational training. Earlier on Tuesday, the CFM session was inaugurated by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In his keynote speech, Interim President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to consider the spiritual aspects of education and strengthening the bonds of cooperation among the youth. He announced the initiative to establish "Imam Al-Bukhari International Research Center," as a Samarkand –based OIC subsidiary, and another initiative for the formation of a chair for Islamic sciences in Tashkent Islamic University. In his speech, OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani reviewed the conditions in the Islamic world, primarily the Palestinian cause as the core issue for the OIC. He stressed that the suffering endured by the Palestinian people, as well as Israel's persistent hostile policy to besiege the Palestinians necessitate serious steps capable of putting an end to such Israeli obstinate attitude and the indifference of the international community. Madani also voiced his deep concern and condemnation of the continuous shelling of Syrian cities, and the adoption of the Syrian regime of policies terrorizing and displacing civilians, and closing doors on political solutions. Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdel-Aziz Kamilov took over the chairmanship of the 43rd session of CFM while the 44th Session will be held in Abidjan, capital of Côte d'Ivoire, in June 2017.
