Foreign Minister Participates in Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated on Thursday in the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held at the organization's headquarters in Jeddah.

 During the meeting, the foreign minister delivered a speech in which he began by extending his sincere congratulations to the new Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, wishing him success in carrying out his duties. Prince Faisal also expressed the Kingdom's appreciation to Hissein Brahim Taha for the efforts he exerted during his tenure as secretary-general of the organization.

 Prince Faisal stressed that Islamic cooperation and solidarity have become an urgent and indispensable necessity in light of the recurring crises and economic, social, and humanitarian challenges facing the Islamic world and the organization's member states. He added: "The Islamic world, with its demographic, political, economic, and civilizational weight, possesses the capabilities that qualify it to play an active role in shaping international balances."

 The foreign minister underscored that, from this perspective, the Kingdom believes that the next phase requires serious reform of the organization to strengthen its ability to implement its resolutions, enhance the efficiency of its institutions, and provide joint Islamic action with more effective tools.

 Prince Faisal reiterated the Kingdom's steadfast position on the Palestinian cause and its support for the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state in accordance with the two-state solution, in a manner that achieves a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region.

 The foreign minister expressed the Kingdom's strongest condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities' issuance of a new tender for the construction of settlement units as part of the E1 project, stressing that its danger is not limited to the addition of new settlement units, but also lies in its location, which would isolate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings and directly threaten the possibility of establishing an independent and viable Palestinian state. He also reiterated the Kingdom's condemnation of the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials and settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.

 The foreign minister concluded his speech by saying: "The strength of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation derives from the solidarity of its member states, the unity of their positions, and their ability to translate the principles and common interests that unite them into effective collective action."

 Prince Faisal affirmed that the Kingdom will continue to support every effort that contributes to strengthening the organization's role and standing, serves the causes of the Islamic world, and contributes to fulfilling the aspirations of its peoples for security, stability, prosperity, and peace.