Istanbul: Burkina Faso participated on Saturday in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey, emphasizing the importance of enhancing cooperation between Burkina Faso and the OIC.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore, highlighted the country's intent to advocate for strengthened collaboration within the OIC framework, specifically addressing the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and the ESA region. Traore also underscored the necessity for increased OIC involvement in managing the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing security challenges.
The two-day session convenes approximately 40 high-level officials, including heads of government and foreign ministers, along with representatives from the 57 OIC member states, affiliated institutions, observer countries, and other international organizations. The proceedings began with an evaluation of the previous session's recommendations, held in 2024 in Yaound©, Cameroon, followed by the election of the Bureau and the transition of the presidency to the Republic of Turkey, represented by its Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan.
Discussions at the session also covered recent developments in the Israeli conflict with the Gaza Strip and Iran, alongside other pertinent issues affecting the Islamic world. Burkina Faso's delegation, led by Karamoko Jean Marie Traore, actively participated in these dialogues, reflecting the country's commitment to addressing regional and global challenges.
With the Republic of Turkey assuming the chairmanship, there is a renewed commitment to fostering peace and development across the member states. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, initially established as the Organization of the Islamic Conference, aims to reinforce cooperation and solidarity among its members while safeguarding the rights and interests of the Islamic community globally.