Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 57 states spread across four continents. Its general secretariat is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The official languages are Arabic, English, and French. The organisation describes itself as "the collective voice of the Islamic world" and claims to be the second-largest multilateral organisation after the United Nations.

The organisation's work is based on summits at the level of heads of state and foreign ministers that issue decisions and statements, and a network of specialised bodies working in finance, education, media, and health. Most decisions take the form of resolutions and political statements; their implementation depends on member states, since the organisation has no executive body with binding authority over them.

Founding and name changes

The organisation was established by a decision made at a summit held in Rabat, Morocco, on 25 September 1969 (12 Rajab 1389 AH), convened following an arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. In 1970, the first meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers was held, and the office of the General Secretariat was established, with the decision that the secretariat would operate from Jeddah.

The organisation's charter was adopted in 1972. A revised charter was adopted in 2008, emphasizing good governance, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. The organisation's name, originally "Organisation of the Islamic Conference", was changed to "Organisation of Islamic Cooperation" at the 38th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 28–30 June 2011.

Structure and bodies

The highest body is the Islamic Summit Conference, which brings together the heads of state and is normally held every three years. The Council of Foreign Ministers sets day-to-day policy, while the General Secretariat manages operations. There is also the Al-Quds Committee and three standing committees working on science and technology, economics and commerce, and media and culture. Specialised bodies include the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), and there is an independent standing committee on human rights (IPHRC).

The General Secretary is elected on a rotating geographical basis among regional groups. Hissein Brahim Taha, from Chad, took office on 17 November 2021 for a five-year term, following his election at the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Niamey, Niger, in November 2020.

Membership and suspension

Membership has occasionally been suspended. Egypt was suspended in 1979 following the Camp David accords with Israel, and was later readmitted. Syria was suspended in August 2012 during an emergency summit in Mecca while civil war was ongoing. In March 2025, the Council of Foreign Ministers decided to restore Syria's membership after 13 years of suspension.

Jerusalem and Palestinian affairs

The question of Palestine and the legal status of Jerusalem have been core issues for the organisation since its founding, which accounts for the existence of the Al-Quds Committee. The secretariat issues statements responding to developments it regards as affecting Jerusalem's situation and implements resolutions passed by the United Nations on related matters.

Somalia and the organisation

Somalia is a member of the organisation and participates in sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers; for example, at the 51st session in Istanbul. The general secretariat has frequently issued statements supporting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, particularly in response to diplomatic incidents involving Somaliland.