UN REMAINS THE CENTRE FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND DIPLOMACY

PROFESSOR EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU, OIC SECRETARY-GENERAL

Here we are assembled today to celebrate, in this beautiful city of Geneva, the 40th anniversary of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference).
As headquarters of the UN European Offi ce, and number of international organizations and Institutions, Geneva represents for us at the OIC a very important place.
Since its inception, in September 1969, after the terrorist attack of the Holy Mosque of Al Quds AS SHARIF, the OIC, as an intergovernmental organization, has progressively moved from a simple political framework of solidarity to a strong and comprehensive instrument of cooperation and coordination covering all aspects related to human society.
After four decades of its existence, the OIC now constitutes an arena where a signifi cant part of its Member States’ external policy is streamlined. It is the second largest political organization in the world after the United Nations.
It is the voice and representative of 1.5 billion Muslims spread over a wide geographical area extending from the Atlantic shores to the confi nes of China, and the shores of the Islands of the Philippines and Indonesia, and in addition, countries in South America. Presently the OIC is regarded as the unique and most trusted and authoritative voice for the Muslim World on major global issues. It is in this light that many major players in the international multilateral arena, including the US and the Russian Federation, appreciate and recognize this role.
The US Administration took the decision to nominate a Special Envoy to the OIC – while the Russian Federation had joined the OIC as an Observer, in May 2005.
The historic statement of President Obama in Cairo on 4 June 2009 has clearly confi rmed the desire of the US Administration to make a new beginning in the relations between the US and the Muslim world. The OIC will build concrete actions on this high momentum.
The OIC fi rmly stands for moderation and tolerance. It condemns and rejects all forms of fanaticism, extremism and bigotry. It emphasizes the inter-civilization and interfaith dialogues based on mutual respect and equality among the interlocutors.
The OIC also stands to defend respect of human rights, endeavours to promote good governance, to widen political participation, establish the rule of law, ensure transparency and accountability, while combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and rejecting all attempts to justify this abhorrent phenomenon.
A great deal of the effort of the OIC is directed toward human development in the socio-economic spheres in its Member States through concrete and practical programmes, including promotion of human rights, poverty alleviation, education, science and technology, and empowering woman and elevating her status. Fighting Malaria and Polio has also become an important priority for our Organization.
The OIC is engaged in international efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and to promote their inalienable rights for an independent State, in an environment of peace, security and prosperity. We are working hard for reconciliation between Islam and the West because we believe that today’s human civilization is one civilization with a multitude of tributaries and branches.
The crises and confl icts of the recent turbulent years have indeed enhanced and not diminished the relevance of the United Nations and its concomitant multilateralism, the UN remains the centre Forum for dialogue and diplomacy, the promotion and preservation of global peace and security, international socio-economic development, elaboration as well as enforcement of international Human Rights law and for securing the community of Nations from the threats of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and trans-national crime.
The objectives of the UN will remain unattainable without the cooperation and the unifi ed action of all States, as well as regional and international organizations. It is in this perspective that the OIC views its supplementary role in the efforts of the United Nations and the collective resolve of the international community to overcome global challenges.
We look forward to the day when we can together conquer the prejudices that divide us, and eradicate the stereotypes which stoke the enmity among nations and peoples. The OIC looks forward to the day when we can together build a world free from hostilities and bigotries, a world where peace, concord and friendship prevail, where cooperation, progress and prosperity thrive, and where humanity will become the driving force which inspires our minds and needs.