OIC leaders issue declaration to enhance organization

Leaders of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) ended their summit here Friday with a 12-point plan of action to enhance the organization in meeting global challenges.

The plan of action is contained in the Putrajaya Declaration issued at the end of the 10th OIC Summit chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahateer Muhammad, at the Putrajaya Convention Center Putrajaya. The leaders agreed to undertake a review and analysis of the OIC positions on international issues and draw up appropriate strategies to strengthen their solidarity.

They also agreed to consider the proposal on the Gold-based Trade Payment Arrangements (GTPA) as an alternative of trade settlement among the 57 member countries with the view to expanding trade and economic development. Practical steps to promote trade and investment would also be taken through the sharing of database and establishing linkages in financial services, shipping and aviation among member countries. The leaders said dialogue among Muslims, particularly among scholars, intellectuals, jurists and policy makers and making use of existing Islamic institutions such as the Islamic Fiqh Academy would also be enhanced.

They said the Fiqh Academy and its General Secretariat should be restructured and mandated to examine all relevant issues under its terms of reference that would contribute towards creating better understanding and minimizing differences among the member nations. On the revitalization of the OIC, the leaders said the ongoing comprehensive review of the OIC General Secretariat would be completed by the current consultants. This would be done with a view to revamping its structure, methodology, improving its financial and human resource requirements, and ensuring a more focused, concise documentation, in order to make it a more effective, efficient and responsive mechanism for cooperation among member states. The review, which will be considered by the Ministers at the next Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, should also look into issues pertaining to the OIC Charter, including the question of strategic global partnerships, they said.

Another significant action to be taken was to establish a Study Group to suggest ways in which Islamic education could contribute to enhancing peace, understanding, tolerance, economic development and modernization, including the advancement of the role of women in economic development.