NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations., Munir Akram, leading the core group of OIC’s permanent representatives on Islamophobia, met UN Secretary-Genera Antonio Guterres on Wednesday for a review on the implementation of a General Assembly resolution that calls for combating the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in parts of the world.
The meeting with the UN chief, held at UN Headquarters in New York , was a follow-up on the implementation of resolution 78/264, entitled: ‘Measures to Combat Islamophobia,’ according to a press release.
Under the terms of that resolution, which was adopted on 15 March, the 193-member Assembly called on member states to take all necessary measures, including legislative and policy ones, to combat religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, hatred, incitement to violence and violence against Muslims and requested the Secretary-General to appoint a U.N. Special Envoy to address that phenomenon.
During the meeting, the OIC Ambassadors stressed the need for the timely implementation of the resolution, particularly the appointment of a special envoy on combating Islamophobia, the press release said. They also presented detailed proposals for a comprehensive Action Plan to address and counter Islamophobia globally.
On the other hand, The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha, stated on Thursday that Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip constitute a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. Taha made the remarks while addressing the 11th Developing Eight (D-8) Summit for Economic Cooperation, which opened today in Cairo.
Taha also highlighted the pivotal nature of the summit, given the rapid succession of global events. During his address, Taha announced that the OIC had formalized a memorandum of understanding with the organisation focused on developing nations.
The D-8 Summit is being held under the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises – Shaping the Economy of Tomorrow.” According to the Egyptian State Information Service, discussions will focus on addressing the ongoing global economic and political changes. Heads of state and government representatives from the member nations – Egypt, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey – are attending the summit.
Egypt assumed the presidency of the D-8 in May and will continue to lead the group’s activities until the end of next year. Numerous bilateral meetings and smaller summits are scheduled alongside the main D-8 Summit, involving both heads of state and participating delegations.
The D-8, or Developing Eight, is a cooperative framework for development among its member countries. The organisation aims to strengthen economic ties and social bonds among its member nations: Egypt, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. –Agencies
