Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 30/07/2008
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran 29-30 July 2008 H.E President Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a great honor and privilege for me to address the XV (15th Non Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting, convened in Tehran. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for the excellent arrangements for this conference as well as the warm hospitality accorded to all delegations, which is a testimony of the dedication of the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the ideals of the Non-Aligned Movement.. The high level participation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference is a reflection of the close cooperation and collaboration that exist between the Non- Aligned Movement and the OIC. In fact, 51 of the 57 Member countries of the OIC are also Non Aligned Movement Members. This in itself is a strong bond that unites our two organizations. I am confident that our cooperation will continue to expand in all fields, with the shared objective of promotion of international peace and security and the economic and social development of our people. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Historically , the OIC and the Non Aligned Movement have consistently been in the forefront of the struggle against colonialism, neo- colonialism, racism, denial of self-determination, foreign domination and have relentlessly supported freedom, disarmament and the adherence to the ideals of a world order free from international tensions and devoted to securing the well being and prosperity of all peoples. Today, the internal and the external challenges facing our countries are daunting. Issues such as globalization, climate change, environmental degradation, and access to clean drinking water, shortage of energy, epidemics, and regional conflicts and most lately, the shortage of food supply and the rising prices of oil and food items as well as human rights, good governance, and multilateralism, combating international terrorism, reform of the UN system, globalization and the democratization of international financial institutions ,are on top of the agenda of our two organizations. Addressing these challenges requires a systematic, comprehensive, integrated approach at all levels in order to achieve the desired shared goals. We believe that these changes and challenges could only be dealt with through international cooperation. We are hopeful that this conference will adopt specific recommendations that would enable the Non Aligned Movement respond to international developments affecting it in a more timely and cohesive fashion Internally, we are confronted by many problems at the top of which come the problems of political instability, conflicts, the food crisis and underdevelopment. These factors adversely affect our ability to face the external challenges. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen The OIC Member States and Muslims around the World are going through a momentous period in their history. In the Middle East, the Palestinian question remains unresolved; Israel still occupies Arab and Palestinian territories. It continues to deny the Palestinian people all their inalienable rights. Our Member States are also confronted with other daunting political challenges in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Jammu and Kashmir and issues of Muslim Minorities and Communities. The menace of terrorism and the baseless attempts to link it to Islam and the alarming phenomenon of Islamophobia and attempts to defame Islam and its holy prophet represent serious challenges to the Muslim World. As for the Iran's nuclear issue , I would like to reiterate OIC's full support to the inalienable rights of all Member States to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We firmly support the stand that Iran's nuclear issue should be settled exclusively through dialogue and peaceful means. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Within its new vision and mission contained in the Ten Year Program of Action adopted by the Extraordinary Summit in December 2005 in Mecca, and the new Charter adopted in the 11th Summit in Dakar in March 2008, the OIC will continue to devote its resources and efforts to counter the vicious campaign against Islam. We are currently leading a massive effort to disseminate messages of modernization and moderation in the Muslim World as well as dialogue with other faiths, cultures and civilizations as means of enhancing peaceful co-existence and reinforcing the foundations of global peace and security Finally, I would like to express the determination of the OIC to promote and strengthen its cooperation with the Non- Aligned Movement and work together in order to confront common challenges and create an environment favorable for global peace, security, social welfare and economic development. I wish your deliberations every success in evolving specific recommendations which will contribute to making our world more safe, just, fair and prosperous place for the betterment of humanity. Thank you for your attention.
