( UN ) - Praising the cooperative relationship between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today anticipated strengthening these ties in the years ahead.
In a message to the OIC Ministerial Conference meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Ban said the gathering comes at a crucial juncture. "Instability in Islamic States - from Afghanistan and Iraq to Sudan and Somalia - carries profound implications for international peace and security," he said, calling for a sustained and collective response.
"The OIC, as a leading multilateral institution, is well placed to play a leading role in addressing all these challenges," said Mr. Ban. "I would especially like to commend the excellent cooperation between the Untied Nations and the OIC."
The Secretary-General said engagement between the two on matters of peace and security "holds tremendous promise," while joint UN-OIC economic, cultural and social projects are "already yielding significant dividends" in a number of countries.
"I look forward to strengthening these ties even further in the months and years to come," Mr. Ban said in the statement, which was delivered by his Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues, Ibrahim Gambari.