OIC LAUNCHES PEACE, SECURITY AND MEDIATION UNIT AT ITS HEADQUARTERS
Jeddah, 9 Jumadil Awal 1434/21 March 2013 (MINA) – The OIC Secretary General announced on Wednesday (20/3), the establishment of a specialized Peace, Security and Mediation Unit (PSMU) at its General Secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in accordance with the decision taken by the 39th Council of Foreign Ministers in Djibouti in November 2012.
Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that the OIC is in the process of finalizing the working methods of the PSMU with a view to its full operationalization. It is hoped that the PSMU would strengthen OIC’s role in mediation and quiet diplomacy as tools in conflict prevention and resolution. It would seek to support the intensification of the use of Good Offices of the Secretary General, Special Representatives and enhance cooperation with other regional and international organizations, according to OIC’s official web monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) Thursday (21/3)
The Unit initially will focus on its capacity building, after which it is expected to function principally through monitoring current and potential crisis situations and undertake timely diplomatic response.
This would be coupled with identifying and analyzing major root causes of potential conflict and determining ways and means to address these conflicts. The PSMU would also seek to interact with the Member States and the international and regional organizations to share experiences in mediation and conflict issues.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations which has membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world and ensuring to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world. The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 12th Rajab 1389 Hijra (25 September 1969) as a result of criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. (T/P02)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
