Astana, Kazakhstan - On 22 July 2024, the 16th UN-OIC Biennial General Meeting on Coordination commenced in Astana, Kazakhstan, hosted by the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS). This pivotal event marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration and coordination between the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The three-day meeting, spanning from 22-24 July, features intensive deliberations across three Working Sessions focused on key thematic areas crucial to the sustainable development agenda. Discussions will encompass political cooperation, economic and scientific collaboration, and initiatives addressing cultural, social, and humanitarian issues pertinent to member states.
The opening ceremony welcomed distinguished guests including His Excellency Mr. Alibek Bakayev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; His Excellency Amb. Mr. Khalid Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific; His Excellency Prof. Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs; and the Director General of IOFS, Amb. Berik Aryn. The gathering brought together 100 representatives of UN and OIC agencies, as well as other high-level participants committed to advancing shared objectives.
In his welcoming address, the Director-General of IOFS, Amb. Berik Aryn extended gratitude to representatives from UN and OIC agencies for their steadfast dedication to fostering cooperation amidst the pressing challenges faced by Member States. He underscored the importance of aligning efforts with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the OIC-2025 Programme of Action. 
Reflecting on progress since the previous session, the Director-General emphasized the imperative of enhanced coordination to effectively implement the agreed-upon Matrix. Proposing concrete mechanisms, he outlined initiatives such as identifying synergies within strategic plans, establishing a permanent UN-OIC Joint Task Force, convening thematic working groups, and instituting an Integrated Data and Information Sharing System.
Highlighting partnerships with relevant UN agencies, the Director-General announced the signing of a Letter of Intent between IOFS and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aimed at bolstering institutional cooperation in member states including Afghanistan, Chad, Djibouti, Gambia, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, and Tajikistan.
The Director-General also underscored successes in humanitarian initiatives, including the Afghanistan Food Security Program and collaboration with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
He called upon all relevant institutions to recognize IOFS as a pivotal partner in addressing food insecurity, particularly through the Africa Food Security Initiative.
The opening ceremony concluded with a call to strengthen coordination mechanisms, ensuring cohesive and complementary efforts aligned with shared global goals.
The IOFS remains committed to achieving collective objectives through sustained cooperation and unwavering dedication, fostering a prosperous future for member states.
Additional Information on Working Sessions:
The sides will review cooperation and appraisal since the UN-OIC General Meeting on Cooperation in Geneva, Switzerland in July 2022. The three working sessions will discuss:
- Cooperation on Political Issues: Ongoing political cooperation, country-specific issues, conflict prevention and resolution, peacemaking and peacebuilding, promoting democratization, good governance, human rights, and rule of law.
- Cooperation on Economic and Scientific Issues: Trade facilitation and the trade preferential system of the OIC, poverty alleviation and development finance, South-South cooperation projects, infrastructure development, transport, tourism, science and technology, education, research, technical and vocational training, healthcare, environment and climate change, water issues, Information and Communication Technology.
- Cooperation on Cultural, Social, and Humanitarian Issues: The impact of COVID-19, strengthening intercultural dialogue, promoting the culture of dialogue for peace and reconciliation, countering incitement to discrimination based on religion or belief, addressing Islamophobia and other forms of racism, hatred, and intolerance based on religion or belief, preservation of the cultural heritage of humankind, mobilizing support for humanitarian crises in the OIC region (Sahel and Lake Chad region, occupied Palestinian territory, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Syrian refugees in neighboring countries), Islamic finance, mechanisms for supporting internally displaced persons, refugees, and stateless persons.
