Date: 17/05/2007

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF PAKISTAN ON THE CONCLUSION OF THE 34TH ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS

The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) has concluded its 34th session in Islamabad today. I chaired the session in my capacity as the Foreign Minister of the host country after my election by the Conference. Delegations from 57 Member States of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), observer states, communities and organizations as well as OIC institutions attended the meeting.

Owing to its importance, the Session was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, who delivered an inspiring Inaugural Address. The concluding session was addressed by the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The 34th ICFM reviewed the implementation of decisions of the Islamic Summit and provided direction for the future work of the Organization. The outcome documents adopted at the concluding session of the Conference today include: (i) the resolutions of the Conference pertaining to a host of issues confronting the Muslim Ummah; (ii) Final Communiqué' of the Conference; and (iii) the Islamabad Declaration.

Pakistan feels greatly honoured at the privilege of hosting the Conference. The people of Pakistan have deep historical, religious and cultural ties with the Muslim world. OIC is the sole representative organization of the Ummah and has articulated its positions on issues of our common interests. Pakistan as a founding member of the Organization has always actively contributed to the advancement of OIC's objectives. Pakistan has hosted this ICFM as a mark of the abiding commitment of our people to Muslim causes and Islamic solidarity.

You would recall that Pakistan had the honour of hosting 2nd Islamic Summit in Lahore in 1974, Extraordinary Summit in Islamabad in 1997 as part of golden jubilee celebrations of Pakistan 's independence as well as a number of ICFMs. The last regular ICFM hosted by us was in Karachi in 1993.

The Islamabad ICFM took place at a critical juncture for the Muslim world. It addressed all issues of concern to the Ummah, including Palestine , Iraq , Afghanistan , Sudan , Somalia , and Kashmir . It also reaffirmed the resolve of the Islamic world to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed the need for addressing its root causes. The ICFM also took serious note of increasing trend of Islamophobia and emphasized the imperative of addressing misperceptions about Islam. The ICFM also adopted a number of resolutions in the economic, social, cultural and information fields. There was a unanimous view for accelerating the process of reform of the OIC.

In his Inaugural Address, the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, stressed the need to focus on three specific areas: (i) addressing socio-economic disparities through greater attention to enhanced education and science & technology thus creating knowledge-based economies and societies; (ii) addressing the internal religious upheaval by neutralizing the challenges posed by obscurantist, extremist and sectarian elements and strengthening the forces of moderation and enlightenment; and (iii) resolving political disputes facing the Islamic Ummah, including Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister also underscored the imperative to address the challenges faced by the Muslim world through a proactive approach and joint action. He also stressed the need for revitalization and reform of the OIC.

All participating Ministers addressed the Conference and expressed full confidence in the leadership of Pakistan to steer the OIC in becoming an effective organization capable of playing an effective role in global affairs. The Ministers hailed in particular the efforts of President Musharraf to address the Palestinian and other issues of interest to the Muslim Ummah, reduction of tensions in the Muslim world, and promotion of unity and harmony in the Ummah.

The three day meeting was successful and has attained its objectives:

Firstly, the session was attended by all 57 Member States.

Secondly, at a time when the Muslim world is faced with daunting challenges, the Islamabad meeting provided a timely forum to comprehensively discuss all issues of current importance to the Muslim world.

Thirdly, the meeting reaffirmed full support to Pakistan on issues of particular concern to us, including Kashmir . All resolutions sponsored by Pakistan have been adopted.

Fourthly, it reinforced the call by the President to lay special emphasis on science and technology. In this regard, a resolution was adopted to transform the Secretariat of COMSTECH (OIC's standing committee on science and technology chaired by Pakistan ) into a specialized organ of the OIC to serve as a primary vehicle for implementing OIC's joint programmes in the field of science and technology. You will recall that Pakistan has been trying for this for quite few years and we are grateful to the Conference for agreeing Pakistan 's proposal. This will enable the Secretariat of the COMSTECH to pursue the joint programmes in the field of science and technology in a number of Muslim countries more effectively by enabling them to have more predictable funding.

The ICFM reaffirmed the call to restructure and reform the OIC in order to make it more effective in accordance with the reform programme contained in Makkah Declaration of December 2005 and Ten-year Programme of Action. You would recall that over the past few years, the President of Pakistan has spear headed the efforts for reform and restructuring of the OIC, including through a review of its Charter. The Meeting agreed on the need to revise the OIC Charter to adapt it to the needs of the 21st Century and decided to continue discussions with a view to finalizing the text by the next Islamic Summit in Senegal early next year.

During the ICFM, an interactive Ministerial Brainstorming Session was held. The Ministers discussed the theme of “Countering Discrimination and Intolerance against Muslims and Defamation of Islam”. The Ministers provided useful guidance and ideas for the OIC to engage constructively in the ongoing multilateral discourse to counter discrimination against Muslim and defamation of Islam. The need for dialogue among civilizations and dialogue with the Western world were also emphasized.

I would like to acknowledge in particular our profound thanks to the OIC Member States for their continued strong support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their longstanding and just struggle. The ICFM lauded the constructive approach shown by Pakistan in addressing this longstanding dispute and called upon India to reciprocate the initiative of Pakistan to find a solution to this and other bilateral issues between India and Pakistan .

During the Conference, the Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir met to discuss the Kashmir issue. The Contact Group was chaired by Secretary General of OIC, H.E. Prof. Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, and addressed by Her Excellency Madam Aichatou Mindaoudou, Foreign Minister of Niger, H.E. Mr. Mehmet Aydin, Senior Minister of Turkey, H.E. Dr. Nezar bin Ubaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I also addressed the meeting representing Pakistan . Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al-Safvi representing All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Raja Zulqarnain Khan President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and others addressed the Contact Group meeting and presented a Memorandum to the Secretary General.

Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al-Safvi also addressed the Plenary meeting of the ICFM on behalf of All Parties Hurriyet Conference.

The Conference provided a unique opportunity to me to interact with my counterparts from all over the Muslim countries.

During its Chairmanship, Pakistan will make utmost efforts to the strengthening of the OIC and forging solidarity amongst all its Member States. Specifically, we would concentrate on measures to collectively address challenges confronting the Muslim world and revitalization and reform of the OIC so that it effectively promotes and protects the interests of the Ummah.

Here I would like to place on record my great appreciation for the young men and women of this Ministry who worked tirelessly to make this conference a success.

Islamabad

May 17, 2007