Saudi Arabia at OIC Session: Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El Khereiji represented Saudi Arabia at the 50th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Yaoundé, Cameroon, focusing on the development of intra-OIC transport and communication infrastructure.
Strong Stance on Key Issues: El Khereiji condemned the Israeli occupation forces' actions against Palestinians, highlighted Saudi Arabia's humanitarian aid to Gaza, and reaffirmed the Kingdom's support for peace efforts in Sudan and Yemen.
Future Initiatives: Saudi Arabia will host the OIC Donors Conference in October and is organizing a joint conference with the Maldives on enhancing integrity in the tourism sector, aiming to strengthen Islamic cooperation and address global challenges.
Yaoundé, August 30, 2024 – On Thursday, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El Khereiji represented Saudi Arabia at the 50th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This session, themed "Development of intra-OIC transport and communication infrastructure: Major instrument in the fight against poverty and insecurity," focused on enhancing collaboration within the OIC to address critical issues affecting the Islamic world.
In his speech, El Khereiji underscored the pivotal role that the OIC has played since its establishment in advocating for Islamic causes and safeguarding the interests of Muslim communities worldwide. He reiterated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening cooperative actions on various Islamic issues and expanding joint efforts to secure a brighter future for Muslim populations.
A key aspect of El Khereiji’s address was the Kingdom’s firm stance against the actions of the Israeli occupation forces. He denounced the violence and human rights abuses perpetrated against the Palestinian people, noting that the Israeli forces' actions have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, including many women, children, and innocent civilians. El Khereiji criticized the lack of international accountability and the failure of the United Nations Security Council to take decisive action against these violations.
El Khereiji highlighted the efforts of Saudi Arabia and its allies to counter Israeli aggression, including the recognition of the State of Palestine by several European countries. He commended the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh for its decision to establish legal and media monitoring units to document Israeli violations. Additionally, he emphasized Saudi Arabia's humanitarian efforts, noting that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched a national donation campaign that has raised over $185 million for Gaza.
Regarding the crisis in Sudan, El Khereiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's steadfast support for Sudan's security and stability. He called on all parties involved in the Sudanese crisis to engage in dialogue to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
In addressing the situation in Yemen, El Khereiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's ongoing support for peace efforts and its commitment to achieving a comprehensive political solution. He also warned against escalating tensions in the Red Sea region, which could threaten international shipping routes and global trade and economic stability.
El Khereiji also expressed the Kingdom’s dedication to supporting humanitarian causes and development projects in both neighboring and distant countries. He welcomed member states, their institutions, and international donors to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Donors Conference, which Saudi Arabia will host in October. Additionally, he announced a forthcoming joint conference with the Republic of Maldives titled "Enhancing Integrity in the Tourism Sector," aimed at bolstering Islamic cooperation. He urged relevant anti-corruption and tourism authorities from OIC member states to participate in this important event.
This session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers demonstrated Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to addressing critical regional and global issues through collaborative efforts within the OIC framework and its broader international engagements.
