Secretary-General Says Experience, Knowledge, Support of Organization of Islamic

 

Conference Crucial to UN Success Across Spectrum of Threats, Opportunities

 

(Delayed for technical reasons.)

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the United Nations-Organization of the Islamic Conference General Cooperation Meeting, delivered by B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in Istanbul, 29 June:

It is a pleasure to send greetings to this meeting on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).  Our organizations continue to make progress on an array of shared concerns, and I am eager to deepen our ties.

I know we are both encouraged that proximity talks between Palestinians and Israelis have started.  I appreciate the support of the OIC and hope that we will soon see a resumption of direct negotiations that tackle all final status issues, including Jerusalem.

The United Nations will also count on your support for reconciliation in Afghanistan, building on the recent Peace Jirga.

In Sudan, attention is now on the referenda in January 2011; a credible, inclusive and peaceful process is a priority for all.  And regardless of the outcome, Southern Sudan will require concerted international support.

On Somalia, I appreciate the OIC’s support for the implementation of the Djibouti Agreement, as well as your active role in the International Contact Group and at the recent Istanbul Conference.  I will count on your continued assistance for recovery and for the constitution-making process.

I will also look for your engagement on Iraq and Niger, and in strengthening our cooperation against terrorism through the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.

The OIC and its members also have a key role to play in advancing the Alliance of Civilizations and confronting prejudice, extremism and Islamophobia.  I welcome the involvement of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, an OIC specialized agency, in the Alliance’s International Fellowship Programme.

Your experience, knowledge and support are crucial to our success across this spectrum of threats and opportunities.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful meeting.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record