UN, OIC vow to join forces to address radicalism, peace, security challenges

The UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday vowed to join forces and craft strategies to address radicalism, peace and security challenges in hot spots around the world. "The challenges of peace and security are too complex and interlinked for any country or organization to address alone," Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the Council as it debated cooperation between the two organisations. "To be successful, we must join forces and craft joint strategies that draw on respective strengths," he added. The High-Level meeting, attended by OIC outgoing Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of Turkey, his successor Iyad Madani of Saudi Arabia, and other Foreign Ministers, was chaired by Elmar Maharram Oglu Mammadyarov, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan. Thanking Ihsanoglu for his "many years of leadership and service" and congratulating Madani for his election at the head of the OIC, Ban said "I look forward to building on our partnership in the years to come. "Looking ahead, the United Nations and the OIC must continue to deepen our strategic dialogue. We have made significant progress including through formal partnership agreements and joint work plans, staff exchanges and joint mediation deployments. We were also proud to assist the OIC in establishing its new Peace, Security and Mediation Unit. Let us together pledge to work from this foundation of progress to build a better world for all," Ban urged. He noted that the UN and the OIC are working closely on issues ranging from conflict prevention and resolution to counter-terrorism; from human rights and humanitarian affairs to intercultural dialogue and sustainable development. On the conflict in Syria, Ban said the war has "heightened tensions between Sunni and Shia communities. We have seen tragic and violent manifestations of these divisions in many parts of the Muslim world. This is profoundly worrying. " In this regard, he called on the OIC to launch initiatives to put an end to the bloodshed in Syria, radicalism and to the stalled Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "I believe the OIC could be uniquely placed to launch a major initiative working with the United Nations and others to help bring an end to this upheaval that has caused the loss of so many civilian lives and represents such a threat to wider security. I urge the OIC and all leaders to do everything possible to repair rifts and rebuild confidence between Muslim communities as well as to stem the influence of radical armed groups and violent extremists," Ban told the Council. On the Middle East Peace Process, Ban said the status quo in the occupied Palestinian territory is "not sustainable, and in the long run, the occupation is deeply damaging to Israelis and Palestinians alike. The OIC can help forge a way forward within the agreed timeframe." On the Muslim minority in Myanmar, Ban said the government has to address the question of citizenship for the Rohingya population. "Myanmar must act firmly against the dissemination of hate literature. Instigators must be punished. I urge the Government and other key opinion leaders to address these fundamental issues," he urged, welcoming Ihsanoglu's upcoming visit to Myanmar next month. Ban also praised the OIC work in Afghanistan, Mali, Sudan and Somalia, as well as its fight against terrorism. "The OIC and its Member States have been making significant efforts to mitigate the terrorist threat, particularly in countering incitement to commit terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance," he said, stressing the "importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of extremism and terrorism, including by strengthening efforts to peacefully resolve conflict, promote the rule of law, protect human rights and ensure good governance." Addressing the Council, Ihsanoglu stressed that OIC is "strongly committed" to an active partnership with the UN in promoting peace, security and development. "We have achieved a lot together, but I believe more work remains to be done. With your support, both organisations would make our world a much better place," he said. He vowed that the OIC will continue its efforts to combat radicalization that leads to violent extremism and terrorism, adding that to combat radicalization, "we need political will and commitment not only on part of governments but all segments of society." He noted that many of the issues on the Council's agenda relate to the Muslim world. "This fact demonstrates the importance of having strong links of cooperation and coordination between the OIC and the UN in order to benefit from both global and local approaches to addressing these issues." In this regard, he said "any (Council) reform must ensure adequate representation of OIC Member States in any category of membership, given that our organization represents 57 Member States and 1.6 billion people of the world population." The Council also issued a presidential statement stating that cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations "can improve collective security," and commended the OIC members for their "ongoing commitment to international peacekeeping and peacebuilding, including through the contribution of troops to UN peacekeeping operations." The Council also noted that both Organisations "share common objectives" in promoting and facilitating the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the political solution of the Syrian conflict in accordance with the Geneva commuinique of 30 June 2012," and that they are committed to foster a global dialogue for the promotion of tolerance and peace, urging them to enhance their cooperation to promote better understanding across countries, cultures and civilizations. It requested the UN Secretary General in this regard to include in his next report to the Council and the General Assembly on cooperation between the UN and other regional organisations recommendations on ways to enhance such cooperation between the UN and the OIC. Other speakers in the Council praised the OIC efforts in facing the peace and security challenges around the world.