The President of Uzbekistan Discusses with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Further Expansion of Practical Cooperation

On August 18, on the second day of his state visit to Saudi Arabia, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussein Ibrahim Toha in Jeddah.

Today, the OIC is one of the largest international organizations in the world, uniting 57 countries with a population of 1,7 billion people. The trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation has been consistently developing since the entry of Uzbekistan into this Organization in 1996.

During the meeting, it was noted that in the face of modern challenges, this authoritative international structure plays an important role in such aspects as preserving Islamic values, strengthening the mutual understanding, political and economic ties among the Muslim countries.

The sides highly appreciated the level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the OIC, as well as the prospects for expanding bilateral relations on all topical issues.

 Hussein Ibrahim Taha has emphasized that the Organization headed by him fully supports projects and programs initiated by Uzbekistan, which occupies an important place in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Hussein Ibrahim Taha congratulated the Ministers of Tourism of the OIC countries on declaring the city of Khiva the Tourist Capital of the Islamic World in 2024.

It is indicated that Uzbekistan shall continue to pay a special attention to the issues of interaction with the OIC in the development of education, science, and innovation, as well as in climate change issues.

An agreement was reached on the exchange of experience in such important social areas as strengthening the institution of a family, increasing the role of women in public life and public administration.

Emphasizing the rich scientific and educational potential of Uzbekistan, the interest of the OIC in developing cooperationа with the republic in the training and advanced training of young people, primarily in developing member-countries of the Organization, was noted. 

«Uzbekistan is the birthplace of great Islamic thinkers and scientists, and our Organization is interestedа in cooperation with Uzbekistan  in these areas», the OIC Secretary-General has said.

A special attention is paid to the issues of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The possibility of delivering humanitarian aid to this country through the development of a logistics center in Termez was noted.

The issues related to solving global environmental problems, primarily in the Aral Sea region, were discussed. The OIC Secretary-General noted that in March this year, in Islamabad, the Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member-States supported the resolutions developed by Uzbekistan on the Aral Sea region and the connectivity of Central and South Asia.

«The drying up of the Aral Sea and Lake Chad are similar and require common cooperation to attract international society and financial institutions to address these global environmental problems», Hussein Ibrahim Taha said.

An agreement was reached on the exchange of scientific and practical experience, coordination of joint efforts with the active involvement of international specialists to find solutions.    

At the end of the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan invited the Secretary-General to pay a visit to our country. Hussein Ibrahim Toha accepted the invitation with satisfaction.