Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 02/11/2023
As part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and plan of action (2022-2025) signed between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the OIC General Secretariat, in partnership with the UNHCR, hosted a humanitarian event on November 01-02, 2023. The event consisted of a briefing on the Second Global Refugee Forum scheduled to take place in Geneva on December 13-15, 2023, as well as a training workshop on "Emergency Preparedness and Response" (EPR). This event was organized for the benefit of representatives from the participating Member States, some OIC humanitarian institutions, and General Secretariat personnel.
In his opening statement, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Humanitarian, Cultural, and Social Affairs, Amb. Tarig Ali Bakhiet emphasized the high priority that the refugee issue holds on the OIC’s agenda per the resolutions issued by the Islamic Summit (IS) and the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). He expressed the OIC’s concern about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions of refugees, which is a consequence of natural disasters, climate change, armed conflicts, poverty, and intolerance. The OIC has been making tireless efforts since the announcement of the First Conference on Refugees in the Islamic World in Ashgabat in 2012 to find a radical solution to the plight of refugees, who are the most vulnerable in the world.
Amb. Tariq highlighted the unwavering commitment of the OIC, its Member States, and its humanitarian institutions towards providing crucial humanitarian and relief aid to refugees who are facing a severe funding crisis. He emphasized the OIC’s determination to ensure the safe and voluntary return of refugees to their homelands and to work closely with international partners to achieve this goal in accordance with the OIC and UN resolutions. The statement particularly drew attention to the plight of Palestinian refugees, who are the most long-standing case in the world, and the current crisis of displaced Palestinians in Gaza. The scale of the crisis and destruction, along with the daily atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation forces, has reached catastrophic levels, representing a clear violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime in full view of the international community. Amb. Tariq called on the responsible authorities to take decisive action to hold the perpetrators accountable for their inhumane acts.
The ASG commended the countries that have welcomed millions of refugees, recognizing that it is essential for all countries to share the responsibility of hosting them as outlined in the Global Compact for Refugees. Most of the host countries are low-income, and the international community must work together to support both refugees and host countries. Bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and development efforts will help refugees live a normal and dignified life, access essential services, and eventually return to their homes safely and voluntarily. However, it is vital to address the root causes of the refugee crisis through diplomacy and humanitarian efforts to find a lasting solution. On the other hand, Ambassador Tariq highlighted the importance of holding a training workshop on emergency preparedness and response, and insisted on the need to build technical capacities for disaster prevention and management by the Member States in view of anticipating and mitigating natural catastrophes and their adverse impact.
For his part, Mr. Ahmed Mohsen, UNHCR representative stressed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening the existing partnership between the two organizations in the humanitarian field in accordance with the MoU and plan of action signed between the two sides.
