04 May 2024 21:39

On 4 May 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, participated and delivered a speech at the 15th Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) within the framework of his working visit to the Republic of The Gambia.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, expressing gratitude to Saudi Arabia for demonstrating a successful chairmanship experience in promoting unity and cooperation within the OIC, congratulated The Gambia on assuming the OIC chairmanship and wished success in further strengthening and advancing Islamic solidarity.

In line with the theme of the Summit “Unity and Cooperation for a Better Future”, it was brought to attention that our country supports solidarity in addressing existing challenges based on the Charters of the United Nations and the OIC, as well as common interests for the Islamic world.

Among such challenges, the importance of properly promoting Islamic religion and culture in combating unfounded Islamophobic tendencies, as well as acts of burning the Holy Qur’an, which are among the most dangerous, was noted.

Based on its multicultural traditions and experience, it was stated that our country supports the building of a more tolerant and sustainable world between different religions and cultures.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, recalling with satisfaction that the OIC has demonstrated a consistent and unequivocal position with regard to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country during the period of occupation, noted that Azerbaijan, as one of the active members of the OIC, has always supported efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully within the framework of the Organization.

With regard to the Palestinian issue, which currently deeply concerns the entire Islamic world, it was noted that our country supports a solution based on the “two-state” principle, as well as continues to provide sustained support to eliminate the severe humanitarian consequences of the conflict for the Palestinian people.

It was emphasized that cooperation within the OIC in various fields, including economic development, education, healthcare, and culture, is satisfactory, as well as that there is significant potential in other areas for joint activities. In particular, it was stated that at a time when our country is expanding its energy portfolio and shifting from traditional energy sources to alternative sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower, as well as directing its strategic position and infrastructure capabilities to the field of connectivity, we are interested in developing cooperation with OIC member states in these sectors.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided detailed information on the current regional situation in the post-conflict period, opportunities and challenges, restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, the mine threat posing danger to these efforts, as well as the latest progress on the Azerbaijan–Armenia normalization agenda.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, speaking about our country’s chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), emphasized the importance of the OIC region, as one of the regions most affected by global climate change, acting from a unified position and mobilizing efforts in combating this threat.

In conclusion, it was noted that in the Final Communiqué adopted on the outcomes of the Banjul Summit, the restoration of our country’s sovereignty over all its territories was welcomed, support was expressed for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as well as for the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia based on the mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and a call was made on Armenia to fulfill its obligations in this direction.

The Communiqué also reflected that the name of the OIC “Contact Group on the Aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan” was changed to the “Contact Group on the Elimination of the Consequences of the Aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan”, and Armenia was once again condemned for the destruction of Islamic heritage.

It was noted that the fate of Azerbaijanis expelled from the present-day territories of Armenia during the former conflict period is of concern, and support was expressed for their dignified return in this direction.

The Communiqué confirming that the 16th Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will be held in Azerbaijan in 2026 also called for cooperation in the organization of the Summit to be hosted in Baku in this regard.

The Communiqué also welcomed the holding of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue organized within the framework of the “Baku Process”, as well as called for a more equitable geographical representation within the United Nations system, particularly in the structure of the Security Council.