Interview by S. A. Chaudhry and Ali Hussain
The Economic Affairs: The OIC is the largest intergovernmental organization after the UN. Since its establishment in 1969, the OIC has played an important role to advocate Islamic cause around the world. How do you assess this historic role of the Organization?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye:
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is an International Organization founded in Rabat, Morocco in 1969. It consists of 57 member states, with collective population of over 1.8 billion.
Today, the OIC is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the UN and the historic role of the organization has been well established in the areas of preserving Islamic, social and economic values, promote solidarity among member states, enhance cooperation in the fields of economic, cultural, scientific and political.
The OIC helps in upholding international peace and security. The establishment of important organs, and institutions such as Islamic Development Bank, Islamic Solidarity Fund, COMCEC, COMSTECH, SESRIC, are glaring evidence of the role OIC has played to advocate Islamic causes across the globe.
The Economic Affairs: The OIC has a longstanding and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine disputes. How can OIC play a stronger role in the resolution of these disputes?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye: Yes, the OIC has a long-standing and principled position on these disputes mentioned and these positions are always, in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. These must be resolved as per the UN Security Council resolutions.
The Economic Affairs: How would you comment on the preparations by Pakistan for the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM)?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye:
Excellent. I must convey appreciation to Pakistan for early preparations for the 48th OIC CFM. You will recall that Note Verbales and correspondences were transmitted to member states as early as October, 2021. This gives adequate time for member states to prepare for the 48th CFM. For instance, Nigeria’s delegation which would be led by the Hon. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Zubiru Dada was composed, approved and ready for the upcoming CFM since late last year.
The Economic Affairs: This year Pakistan is celebrating 75th years of independence. What is your message to the people of Pakistan on this eve?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye: In my opinion, the Pakistani nation and the people of Pakistan, have to the larger extent achieved the very objective of the independence for which the country was created by its forefathers.
The Economic Affairs: The theme of the 48th OIC CFM is “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development”. What can the OIC member states do to promote these objectives?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye:
Yes, the theme of the 48th CFM is carefully selected and apt; “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development”. My country is confident that the 48th CFM would be a landmark session in the efforts of the OIC to chart a joint Islamic way forward to promote unity, justice and development among its member states.
A number of programmes/projects and activities have been initiated by the OIC to provide opportunity for the development of member states. Programmes such as OIC COMCEC Project Funding, OIC scholarship, OIC Special Programme for Development of Africa, Poverty Alleviation, would benefit the member states.
Others activities in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, trade and commerce health and transportation are tailored to ensure development of member states. The aim of these initiatives is to promote unity, justice and development among member states.
The Economic Affairs: The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to the lives and livelihood across the world. In your view, what role could the Islamic countries play to contain the negative impact of the pandemic?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye:
You will recall that the international Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) has made commendable efforts to consolidate efforts to mitigate the socio-economic risks that the virus poses to all OIC member states.
The ITFC moved quickly to put in place emerging financing measures to ensure that member countries of OIC continue to receive the support needed to mitigate against the impacts of Covid-19. The ITFC has made available a sum of US$850 million for Covid-19 Emerging Interventions for OIC member countries under the Covid-19 Rapid Response Initiative.
The Economic Affairs: How can OIC play a stronger role in enabling member states to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
High Commissioner of Nigeria H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye:
Since April 2016, OIC Heads of Government welcomed the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the OIC’s 13th Islamic Summit. The Summit contributed to the successful implementation of the SDGs within the stipulated time frame, taking into consideration the role of national authorities and significance of international cooperation.
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