The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has hailed cooperation between OIC and U.S. to eradicate polio from member states of the OIC. In an address at a meeting, which focused on OIC-US Partnership for Polio Eradication yesterday at the UNCIF Headquarters in New York City, he said it signifies partnership and cooperation in one of the areas fundamental to socio-economic progress and security across various regions. The meeting was arranged in cooperation with the US Special Envoy to OIC, Rashad Hussain, in the presence of Emir of Argungu in Nigeria, Dauda Malle; Chris Maher, Country Operation Head, Global Polio Eradication Initiative, WHO, and Mr. Saad Houry, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF. The Secretary General praised the achievements made since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, and stated that global incidence of polio has gone down by 99% with 54 of the 57 OIC countries attaining polio free status, according to a press release of the OIC. --MORE
