SPECIAL REPORT: 66 UNGA/ACM 2011
OIC Executive Committee supports taking Gaza blockade issue to international legal authorities
Members of the OIC Executive Committee met for a working lunch meeting hosted by the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan in New York on September 19, 2011, two days ahead of the opening of the 66th UN General Assembly general debate. The meeting focused on developments in some OIC Member States including in Palestinian, Syria, Libya and Somalia. They exchanged views on supporting Palestinian bid for statehood and membership in the United Nations prior to the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting to be held on September 23. The Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in his opening remarks reiterated OIC condemnation of Israel’s
illegal blockade against the Gaza Strip and rejected the claims contained in the Palmer report on the blockade. The Meeting expressed its full support to the efforts to take the issue before competent international legal authorities. Meanwhile, the participants reiterated OIC’s strong backing for the efforts of the State of Palestine to mobilize support for the inalienable Palestinian rights and legitimate national aspirations. It supported the efforts being made so that Palestine obtains full membership of the United Nations and takes its rightful place among the community of nations. On the situation in Syria, the Meeting expressed its deep concern over the continued bloodshed and called for restraint and dialogue among all parties. As for Libya, the Meeting expressed its full support to the NTC and called for reconciliation and unity among all factions for the reconstruction of Libya, good governance, promotion of human rights, expansion of political participation and comprehensive development in order to face the political, social, humanitarian and economic challenges ahead. It called upon OIC Member States to provide whatever assistance possible to Libya in the postconflict phase. The Meeting reaffirmed the continuity of Libya as a fullfledged member of the OIC.
OIC Contact Group Meetings held on the sidelines of Annual Coordination Meeting Meeting on Sierra Leone urges stakeholders to give a new lease on life to the OIC Trust Fund for Sierra Leone
The OIC Contact Group on Sierra Leone met at the Ministerial level on the sidelines of the Annual Coordination Meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers in New York on 20th September 2011 and reviewed the latest situation in the country. The meeting invited all stakeholders to come up with concrete proposals aimed at giving a new lease of life to the OIC Trust Fund for Sierra Leone, which has been unable to cope with the pressing socioeconomic needs due to its scant financial resources exhausted since December 2006. The meeting also urged all OIC Member States to assist in finding alternative viable solutions to the Trust Fund for Sierra Leone in order to re-boost it and reinvigorate it. The meeting acknowledged the important progress made by Sierra Leone in the areas of infrastructure development, education and agriculture under the able leadership of H.E. President Ernest Bai Koroma, and invited all OIC Member
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the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org Sept - Dec 2011
States and their private sector to extend further economic and financial assistance to Sierra Leone. The meeting expressed its satisfaction on the successful visit made by the OIC Secretary General to the Republic of Sierra Leone, on 12- June 2011 to show solidarity and express political support to the authorities and people of Sierra Leone for the progress made in the fields of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and national reconciliation.
Meeting on Somalia discusses peace building and humanitarian assistance
The OIC Contact Group on Somalia also met on 20th September 2011 in New York. The meeting reviewed the latest developments in Somalia and received a briefing from the Somali Foreign Minister and the OIC Secretary General. It also heard interventions from other members of the Contact Group. The meeting deliberated on the peace building process and the restoration of durable peace in Somalia. The meeting commended the Transitional Institutions for ending their dispute by signing and implementing the