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Foreign ministers

OIC and Islamic Development Bank Launch Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank have signed a charter to establish a Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan, a key outcome of the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad on December 19, 2021. The fund aims to channel humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including in partnership with other international actors. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has requested OIC member states and donors to contribute to the fund, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian action in Afghanistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan has been established under the Islamic Development Bank, with the OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha and Islamic Development Bank head Muhammad Sulaiman Al-Jasser signing the charter.
  • The fund is intended to channel humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including in partnership with other international actors, with Pakistan announcing an assistance package of 5 billion Pak rupees (over $27.7 million) for Afghanistan.
  • Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has requested OIC member states and donors to contribute to the fund, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian action in Afghanistan.
  • The 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Tuesday and Wednesday, with several top diplomats of Muslim countries already arriving.
  • Pakistan has welcomed the UN General Assembly's recent passage of a resolution designating March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia, with Qureshi praising the support of the OIC and its member states for his country's initiative.
  • Qureshi has also praised the proposal to appoint an OIC special envoy on Islamophobia and the OIC's principled position and consistent support for the "just struggle" of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.

Statistics:

  • 5 billion Pakistani rupees (over $27.7 million) - the assistance package announced by Pakistan for Afghanistan
  • 19 December 2021 - the date of the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
  • March 15 - the newly designated International Day to Combat Islamophobia, as designated by the UN General Assembly

Sources:

  • A Pakistani Foreign Ministry statement
  • A UN General Assembly resolution

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