48th session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers commences in Islamabad

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday is set to host the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-CFM) to discuss issues affecting the Islamic world.

The two-day Ministerial Conference’s theme is ‘Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development.’

More than 100 resolutions will be considered during the two-day session.

The session coincides with the 75th-anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence.

Foreign Ministers and high-level dignitaries from OIC Member and Observer States attending the session will be Guests of Honour at the Pakistan Day Parade tomorrow.

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi will attend as a Special Guest.

Senior officials from non-OIC countries, as well as senior representatives from the UN, regional and international organisations such as the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, will also attend the session.

The keynote address at today’s Inaugural Session will be delivered by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will preside over the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The summit will also address developments in Afghanistan and their humanitarian consequences for the Afghan people, as well as the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the statement issued.

Many African issues, including the situation in Mali, the Sahel region, and Lake Chad, as well as the situation in Central Africa and the Republic of Guinea, will be on the summit’s agenda.

During the summit, the OIC foreign ministers will also discuss developments in Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and other regions.

Pakistan has a proud history of hosting major OIC events such as Summits and meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). In February 1974, the country hosted the second OIC Summit in Lahore. On the occasion of Pakistan’s Golden Jubilee, an Extraordinary OIC Summit was held in Islamabad in 1997.

Pakistan also hosted the OIC CFMs on four occasions – the 2nd Session in December 1970, the 11th Session in May 1980, 21st Session in April 1993, and the 34th Session in May 2007. The 1st and the 17th Extraordinary Sessions of the OIC CFM were held in Islamabad, in January 1980 and December 2021, respectively.