The Summit provided a unique opportunity for Member States to strengthen relations through dialogue, share experiences for deeper mutual understanding, and adopt innovative resolutions that go beyond national borders to foster collective peace and inclusive sustainable development.
“Our approach will include prioritising initiatives that enhance economic cooperation, foster cultural exchange, and address pressing issues, such as poverty and access to education and healthcare,” he said at the opening session of the Summit.
In collaboration with other Member States, he said, The Gambia stands committed to championing the cause of peace and stability in regions troubled by conflict. “We advocate implementing diplomatic solutions and providing humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of distressed people.”
“Through proactive engagement and meaningful dialogue, we will encourage unity and solidarity among Member States, based on a shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and equitable future for all.”
“In this context, it is essential to address the prolonged conflict in Palestine and the devastating wars in Gaza. Those encounters have caused endless human suffering for over seventy-five (75) years.”
“I call upon Member States to take decisive action to address the root causes of the conflict and work towards a just and lasting solution. This should include convening a Comprehensive Peace Conference for all stakeholders to negotiate a settlement that provides for the rights, dignity, security, and sovereignty of the communities affected,” the president said.
Certainly, the plight of the Palestinians, he added, is a matter of “grave concern”, not only to the Muslim Ummah but also the entire world.
“The ongoing violence, instability in the region, and humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue to make the prospects for peace remote. In fact, the hostilities pose a serious threat to regional stability and global peace,” he postulated.
“In our view, military action is not an option; rather, we endorse a Peace Accord based on a two-state solution. This proposal is to guarantee both states the right to full sovereignty and self-determination.”
“Further, we reaffirm the need to enable the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights, as recognised by the International Community, through its recognition of a State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Shareef as its Capital.”
“To maintain peace and lasting peaceful co-existence in the entire region, as leaders of the Islamic world, we must seize this opportunity to chart a new course towards peace and reconciliation.”
“Let us recommit ourselves to the principles of justice, equality, and mutual respect, act collectively to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, and build a future of peace and prosperity for all.”
“I commend South Africa for its recent decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, following in our footsteps to seek justice under the Genocide Convention.”
Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary General of the OIC, said: “Apart from the Palestinian issue, our organisation prioritises continuing to support the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“My Special Representative to Jammu and Kashmir has been following up on this issue, primarily through his visits to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to review developments and submit reports thereon based on the Summit and CFM resolutions, in addition to numerous meetings of the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.”
“As part of our ongoing efforts to address the situation in Afghanistan, the OIC remains committed to a humanitarian approach and constructive dialogue with the de facto authority in accordance with relevant CFM resolutions.”
“To this end, we urge the Member States to generously contribute to the Trust Fund for Afghanistan, managed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to support efforts in addressing the complex humanitarian challenges faced by the Afghan people.”
“Ambassador Tarig Bakheit, our Special Envoy, is continuing his visits to Afghanistan and coordinating with various Member and non-member States and international organisations led by the United Nations.”
Several Member States, he said, are currently grappling with a range of developments, humanitarian, and security challenges. “Additionally, some Member States have recently undergone political and constitutional changes due to internal circumstances. These countries also look for support to alleviate the difficulties arising in the process of achieving security, stability, and development, as per their sovereign choices.”
