UN Secretary-General's Assistant Praises Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Peace Efforts

Strategic Insights -

Assistant UN Secretary-General for the Middle East Khaled Khiari underscored the importance of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in promoting peace, upholding international law, and delivering durable solutions to crises globally. The OIC's weight in conflict-affected situations, Khiari said, is considerable, and its partnership with the UN is critical to addressing complex conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. The cooperation between the UN and OIC aims to revitalize multilateralism and tackle global challenges through collective action, as outlined in the Pact for the Future adopted by Member States last September.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OIC remains an indispensable partner for the UN in promoting peace, upholding international law, and delivering durable solutions to crises globally.
  • The UN values its partnership with the OIC not only as institutional cooperation but as an essential component of efforts to promote durable peace, inclusive governance, and respect for international and human rights law.
  • The OIC's voice carries considerable weight in some of the world's conflict-affected situations, particularly in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
  • Joint UN-OIC work in Gaza includes the recent endorsement of a recovery and reconstruction plan, as well as collaboration on the question of Jerusalem through an annual conference held in Dakar, Senegal.
  • The OIC has provided backing for international mediation in Sudan, including support for the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra.
  • The OIC has also played a key role in the UN-led "Doha Process" in Afghanistan, engaging with the Taliban de facto authorities and advocating for the rights of Afghan women and girls.
  • The OIC has remained an essential voice in global efforts to ensure a safe, dignified, and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Rakhine state in Myanmar.
  • The joint UN-OIC initiatives against Islamophobia and all forms of religious intolerance are advancing, including through the appointment of a Special Envoy.
  • Counter-terrorism cooperation has also progressed, with a March 2024 memorandum of understanding between the UN and OIC.

Statistics:

  • 57 member States and 5 observers representing significant political, economic, cultural, and religious constituencies are part of the OIC (as of the current date).
  • The OIC has engaged in joint initiatives with the UN, including the recently endorsed recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza and the annual conference on Jerusalem.
  • 2 years of war in Sudan have led to devastating humanitarian consequences, with the OIC backing international mediation efforts.

Sources:

  • Khaled Khiari, Assistant UN Secretary-General for the Middle East (no date)
  • Kuwait News Agency, "UN official hails Organization of Islamic Cooperation's role in promoting peace" (24 Jul 2025)
  • United Nations Charter, Chapter VIII (no date)
  • Pact for the Future, adopted by Member States (September 2024)