SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES SHARED IDEALS OF UNITED NATIONS AND OIC IN MESSAGE TO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN JAKARTA
Press Release
SG/SM/6123
SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES SHARED IDEALS OF UNITED NATIONS AND OIC IN MESSAGE TO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN JAKARTA
19961209 Following is the text of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's message to the Twenty-fourth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers delivered today by the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Adrianus Mooy, in Jakarta:I am honoured to have the opportunity to convey this message to this Twenty-fourth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers. I attach great importance to the work of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and especially to the expanding and fruitful cooperation that exists between the OIC and the United Nations.
I would like to pay tribute to the important international role played by Indonesia under President Suharto. As the world's largest Muslim country, it is particularly appropriate that Indonesia should host this year's OIC Foreign Ministers meeting. I also want to express appreciation for the efforts exerted by Hamid Algabid, during his tenure as Secretary-General of the OIC, to strengthen and consolidate ties between our two organizations.
The OIC derives its inspiration from the noble message of Islam. Its establishment was based on the principles of peace, harmony, tolerance, equality and justice for all. These are also the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. The OIC Charter reaffirms the commitment of its members to the Charter of the United Nations. It is, therefore, natural that the two organizations should work closely to promote the ideals, principles and objectives they share.
Since 1983, when the first General Meeting was held between the secretariats of the two organizations, the OIC and the United Nations have made concerted efforts in the common search for solutions to regional, as well as international, conflicts and problems relating to peace and security, economic, social and cultural development, and human rights.
Over the past year, regular consultations have been held and information exchanged with regard to ongoing peacemaking efforts in Afghanistan, Somalia and Tajikistan. Just last month, the OIC participated in an important meeting on Afghanistan held at United Nations Headquarters. At a general meeting,
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decisions were taken to further strengthen cooperation in nine jointly agreed economic and social priority areas. Senior officials of the political departments of the two secretariats met for the first time. And the OIC made significant contributions to the second of two meetings I have convened at United Nations Headquarters between the United Nations and regional arrangements and organizations.
All of these contacts and activities are fully in keeping with my strong and consistent efforts to encourage much closer cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, as envisaged in Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. The OIC, in the 27 years since it was founded, has grown to become one of the largest and most active international organizations in the world. Let us continue and further develop our valuable partnership. We have achieved a great deal thus far, and our relationship serves as a model of cooperation between the United Nations and a regional organization. I offer you my best wishes for a successful summit meeting.
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