Meeting of the Islamic Commission on Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs was held in Jeddah

On January 22-24, 2023, the 45th session of the Islamic Commission on Economic, Cultural, and Social Affairs (ICECS) was held in Jeddah, at the Headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The event was held in preparation for the 49th session of the OIC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CFM), to be held on March 16-17, 2023, in the capital of Mauritania, Nouakchott.

The Kazakh delegation was headed by H.E. Mr. Berik Aryn, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, and the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the OIC.

Following the agenda, the participants were informed by reports from subsidiary bodies of the OIC, such as the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) and the Islamic Center for Trade Development (ICDT). Besides, the relevant departments and organizations of the OIC presented their reports on the economic issues, science and technology (S&T), IT, health, ecology, cultural, humanitarian, and social issues, including the institute of family and youth support.

In addition, the participants reviewed and approved draft resolutions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Member States in the above-mentioned areas for further approval during the upcoming Ministerial Meeting in Mauritania. Among them draft resolutions concerning Kazakhstan's international initiatives in promoting the dialogue of civilizations and religions, the development of science and technology, ensuring food and biosecurity, environmental protection, and expanding cooperation in the economic and financial spheres. In particular, Kazakhstan's initiatives have received broad support in the relevant resolutions to create an International Agency for Biological Safety, promote the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, solve environmental problems around the Aral Sea and the Semipalatinsk Polygon, hold the first Ministerial Meeting of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform in Kazakhstan in 2023, support the activities of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS).

As part of the continuation of preparatory work for the 49th session of the OIC CFM, meetings of the Permanent Finance Committee and Senior Officials will be held at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah in the near future.