Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 12/12/2009
On the kind invitation of the Government of the Republic of Sudan, the First Ministerial Meeting on the OIC Dakar-Port Sudan Railway Line Project took place in Khartoum, Republic of Sudan on 10 December 2009. Ministers and Heads of Delegation of ten countries participating in the OIC Dakar-Port Sudan Railway Line Project attended the meeting. The representatives of the OIC General Secretariat and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) also attended the meeting. The list of participants is attached to this Communiqué. H.E.Omar Hassan Al Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan addressed the opening session and emphasized the socio-cultural, economic and commercial importance of the project in the overall efforts to promote economic integration in OIC Member States. The President also dwelled extensively on the global link which Project will provide for free movement of peoples, goods and services to the Americas through Senegal, to Europe through Gibraltar and to Far East through Port Sudan. He also underscored the importance of the Project in promoting peace, security and stability within the OIC Member States and international community at large. On his part, the OIC Secretary General, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu underscored that an effective transportation network within the OIC community was crucial for the realization of the development objectives of Member States, emphasizing equally that the Dakar-Port Sudan Railway Line Project represented a watershed in the establishment of a meaningful transportation regime among OIC Member States. Drawing attention to the importance of global economic cooperation and co-prosperity alliance in the Islamic World, the Secretary-General urged the Meeting to adopt strategies that would ensure closer cooperation with all OIC Member-States, regional and multilateral partners and the Private Sector establishments to ensure mobilization of required funds for the Project. The Ministerial Meeting was preceded by the Expert Group Meeting on 8-9 December 2009. The Ministers and Heads of Delegation considered and adopted the Report of the EGM, including a roadmap and timelines for the implementation of the OIC Dakar-Port Sudan Railway Line Project. Essentially, the Meeting adopted the following activities which are to be carried out consecutively: •The review and finalization of the Terms of Reference for the feasibility studies to be carried out by IDB within three months; •The mobilization of funds for the project through a Donors conference to be organized by the OIC General Secretariat in collaboration with participating Member States, IDB and other identified stakeholders within nine months; •Selection of a consulting firm to carry out the feasibility studies of the project; •Project implementation process. The Meeting approved invitation to countries and partner institutions in OIC Member States and Non-Member States, as well as regional and international development agencies to participate in future meetings and fund mobilization activities as observers and partners respectively. The Ministers directed the EGM to meet immediately upon the completion of the scheduled review of the TOR by the IDB and not later than 12 months. The Meeting also approved the admission of Cameroon as a member of the Executive Committee of the Project. The Meeting noted with appreciation the gracious offer of His Excellency the President Omar Hassan Al Bashir to host the Headquarters of the OIC Dakar-Port Sudan Railway Line Project in Khartoum, Sudan. At the commencement of its Working Session, the Meeting listened to a detailed presentation on the historical, socio-cultural and economic significance of the integrative initiative, which is represented by the Dakar-Port Sudan Railway project. The presentation was made by Dr. Jaffar Mirghani, Director Sudan Civilisation Institute. In their own presentations, Heads of Delegation expressed their support for the Project and declared their readiness to participate actively in its implementation, considering the economic feasibility and integrative significance of the initiative. Finally, the Meeting expressed appreciation to President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir for his unremitting support for the Project and for facilitating the work of the Meeting. They equally lauded the personal commitment of the OIC Secretary-General, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to the expeditious implementation of the Project. The Meeting addressed a Cable of Appreciation to President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, the Government and people of the Republic of Sudan for their generous hospitality and support, which facilitated the success of the Meeting.
