Dhaka Declaration 45th Session of the Council of Foreign
Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (Session of Islamic Values
for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development)
Dhaka, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
5-6 May, 2018 (20-21 Sha’aban1439 AH)
1-We, the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegations of
Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), participants of
the 45thSession of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC held in Dhaka,
on 5-6 May 2018, under the theme “Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace and
Development”, declare as follows:
2-Recognizing the centrality of the OIC as a platform to
strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the Member States in the
political, security, economic, social, cultural, educational, environmental,
humanitarian and other vital areas for sustainable development,
3-Reaffirming the commitment of the Member States to the
principles and objectives enshrined in the Charter of the OIC and OIC:2025
Program of Action and, in particular, the relevant provisions seeking to
promote and enhance the bonds of unity and solidarity among the Member States
and with Muslim Minorities and Communities,
4-Recalling the rich historical contributions of the
noble and peaceful religion of Islam and its values to modern civilization
especially in the fields of education, moderation, science, culture and
enlightenment which empowered and uplifted the human race as well as positively
transformed its environment,
5-Noting the prevailing peace and security as well as
development challenges including the growing tensions and instability in parts
of the world and in particular the Muslim world, aggravated by long standing
unresolved conflicts, manifestations of intolerance and deliberate attempts to
tarnish a sacred religion, its symbols and stereotype its adherents,
6-Appreciating the initiative of the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh to host the 45thSession of the CFM and its choice for a theme based
on its conviction for the need of a new paradigm rooted in the well tested
Islamic values that would restore sustainable peace and development in the
Member States through Joint Islamic actions, make the following declaration:
7-We express our profound satisfaction that after over
four decades of its establishment, the OIC as the overarching multilateral body
of the Muslim world, has continued to raise its profile and visibility at the
international level and has become a strategic dialogue partner in the
maintenance of international peace and security as well as countering emerging
challenges and threats across the OIC space. [We take note of the necessity for
full and timely implementation of the OIC 2025 Program of Action through
collective action and project based initiatives as identified in the POA
Implementation Plan. Accordingly, We urge the Secretary-General to continue
reform efforts to transform, strengthen and reposition the Organization as a
more effective and efficient one in order to reinforce the unity of the Ummah,
ensure durable peace and security and accelerate sustainable socio-economic
development in the Member-States.
8-We reaffirm our commitment to respect the security,
sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of the Member-states, as well
as the need to resolve lingering or emerging disputes and conflicts through
negotiations, mediation, conciliation and the use of other peaceful means using
political, diplomatic and international legal mechanisms based on the
universally recognized principles and norms of international law. In this
regard, we call for the full activation of the OIC Peace and Security
architecture and the Good Offices of the Secretary-General.
9-We emphasize the centrality of the cause of Palestine
and Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the Ummah and reaffirm our principled support for the
right of the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable rights, including
the right to self-determination, and to the independence and sovereignty of the
State of Palestine on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its
capital, as well as the right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their
homes in accordance with international law and UN General Assembly Resolution
194(III). In this context, We reaffirm our rejection of the United States’
recent recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and condemn its
decision to move its Embassy to the city on May 14 and consider this planned
action illegal and in clear defiance of international law and the international
community’s collective will, as clearly expressed by the OIC Extraordinary
Summit held in Istanbul on 13 December 2017 and the UN General Assembly
Resolution no. 10/19, adopted on 21 December 2017.
10-In accordance with the provisions of the final
Communique of the OIC Extraordinary Summit, we hold the US Administration fully
responsible for all the consequences of its illegal move, which contributes to
further aggravating the conflict and emboldening the occupying power's
impunity, and reiterate that this move invalidates that American
Administration's claimed role of peace broker.
11-In the aftermath of this US illegal move, we call upon
all other states to refrain from supporting the US decision and adhere to
relevant UN Security Council resolutions that ban such illegal moves of
diplomatic missions to Al-Quds Al Sharif; we also reiterate the OIC
Extraordinary summit’s conclusions in this regard, which considered the
relocation of diplomatic missions to Al-Quds Al Sharif as a violation of the
historical, legal, natural and national rights of the Palestinian people and a
deliberate undermining of all peace efforts,
12-We invite all members of the international community to
remain committed to the status of Al-Quds al-Sharif and all related UN
Resolutions, in line with the relevant decisions of the Final Communique of the
OIC Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul and Istanbul Declaration on "Freedom
for Al-Quds.
13-We condemn the illegal policies and practices of
Israel, the occupying power against the Palestinian people in the occupied
Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem and call for the complete
cessation of all Israeli violations of international law, including an immediate
end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, all colonial settlement activities,
demolition of Palestinian homes, killing, injuring and detention of Palestinian
civilians including children, the illegal annexation and Judaization of
occupied East Jerusalem and all attempts to alter its demographic composition,
character and history, and provocation and incitement at Al-Haram al-Sharif and
Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli occupying force and extremist settlers. We also call
for the immediate release of all Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli
prisons and detention centers.
14-We express deep concern over the recent systematic
brutal acts perpetrated by security forces against the Rohingya Muslim
Community in Myanmar that has reached the level of ethnic cleansing, which
constitute a serious and blatant violation of international law, and which has
affected over 370,000 Rohingya who have been forcibly displaced to Bangladesh
and other countries across the region, in addition to the burning of their
houses and places of worship. In this regard, we commend the personal
leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in addressing the plight of the most
persecuted people in the world and seek strong International support to resolve
the crisis and full implementation of the recommendations put forward by the
Advisory Commission on Rakhine State (Annan Commission).
15-We underline the importance of OIC members states
continuing to remain engaged in the UN system including in the UNGA and Human
Rights Council as well as with other relevant international organizations to
address the massive human rights violations of the Rohingya Muslims taking into
account the recent developments.
16-We also reaffirm our full solidarity with Bangladesh
in the face of the huge Rohingya influx with its humanitarian and security
consequences for the country and with the Rohingyas, victims of the state
backed violence in Myanmar. We express our appreciation to the Member States
who have taken immediate action and delivered humanitarian aid to the camps in
Bangladesh and further call for more assistance from all the Member States to
enable Bangladesh cope with the flow of forcibly displaced Rohingyas from
Myanmar into its territories.
17-We welcome the resolution adopted on the situation of
the Rohingya community of Myanmar and in this regard, agree to address the
accountability issue for the violations of human rights against the Rohingyas
in Myanmar through formation of an ad hoc ministerial committee, to be chaired
by Gambia.
18-We underline the need for earliest stabilization of
the situation in the South East and Central Asia, the Middle East and North
Africa and other parts of the African continent by way of urgent political
resolution of all crises and conflicts to avoid their destructive and negative impact,
in accordance with the principles of the UN and OIC Charters and universally
recognized international norms, in order to bring to an end the sufferings of
the affected people and the resultant migration and displacement of population.
In this context, We reaffirm our firm solidarity with Azerbaijan, Sudan,
Comoros, Yemen, Libya, Syria, Mali, Somalia, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African
Republic, Kosovo, Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Cyprus as well as all Muslim
Communities and Minorities in non-OIC Member States within the established
principle of the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
States in which they belong consistent with international law and agreements.
19-We emphasize the need for return of durable peace and
stability in Afghanistan is an important factor in maintaining and
strengthening security not only in the vast Asian continent, but also around
the world and reiterate support for the settlement of the Afghan conflict
through an inclusive Afghan-led process of national reconciliation and
encourage the OIC efforts to convene an International Ulema Conference aimed at
political reconciliation and restoring peace, security and stability in
Afghanistan.
20-We reaffirm our strong condemnation of the atrocious
and callous terrorist attacks that have occurred against the Member States and
in various parts of the world and convey our full sympathy and solidarity
emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace and does not in any way
legitimize the monstrous acts of barbarity and mass murder carried out by
terrorist groups against innocent people. We highlight the threat that violent
extremism and terrorism pose to all societies as well as to international peace
and security and call for greater collaboration and cooperation between the Member
States to prevent and combat terrorism committed by whomsoever in all its forms
and manifestations as well as illicit trafficking in weapons, drugs and human
being and renew our unwavering commitment to strengthen partnership between the
OIC and other international and regional organizations in the field.
21-We further underscore our support to all endeavors to
achieve nuclear disarmament and the elimination of other weapons of mass
destruction as a mean s to further strengthen international peace and security.
22-We note that with the existing realities of the 21st
century, which is known to be the age of globalization, information &
communication technology, the Internet, and growing competition in the world
space, as well as the world market, priority attention must be given to
increasing investments, development of human capital and building the
capacities of women and the youth as the most important value and a decisive
power in achieving the objectives of sustainable development, modernization and
renewal.
23-We call on the Member-States and relevant OIC
institutions to continue and further expand their programs and activities in
the field of higher education, science and technology and in particular in the
framework of Educational exchange program, endeavor to improve training
programs and courses, strengthen the links between higher educational
institutions, promote joint scientific and research projects, establish
scholarships and programs for technical and vocational training.
24-We commend the convening of the 1st Youth CFM, held in
Dhaka, on 04 May 2018, as the youth segment of the 45th CFM in line with
decisions of the special brainstorming session at the Ministerial level on
“Youth, Peace and Development in a World of Solidarity”, held during the 44th CFM
on 11 July 2017 in Abidjan. We appreciate the Government of Bangladesh for
coordinating with the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and
Cooperation (ICYF-DC) the holding of such important youth gathering, and we
call on the host of the 46th CFM to consider organizing the 2nd edition of the
Youth CFM in 2019 in coordination with the ICYF-DC and recognized national
youth institution.
25-We also stress the need for the dissemination of
knowledge about enlightened Islam as an important tool to combat terrorism,
violent extremism and religious fanaticism. We highly appreciate the
comprehensive efforts to combat radicalization and extremism based on the true
values of Islam and welcome the establishment and strengthening of the OIC
Messaging centre, “Sawt Al Hikmah”
26-We take note of the long term development challenges
faced by member states and in this context, we commend the recent achievements
of Bangladesh in various socio economic areas resulting in the recognition of
fulfilling the criteria for graduation from the category of LDCs for the first
time. We take note that this is a significant step towards the realization of
Vision 2021 for attaining the middle income country status as well as Vision
2041 for achieving the developed country status.
27-We took note of the World Economic Forum’s recently
published “Gender Gap Index of 2017” that ranked Bangladesh first in gender
equality among South Asian nations for the second consecutive year. The “Gender
Gap Index of 2017” highlights Bangladesh’s success in four key areas:
education, economic participation, health, and political empowerment. We
commend Bangladesh for its tremendous advancement in empowering women in the
society and bringing changes in traditional and conservative male dominated
society.
28-We reaffirm the leading role of the Standing Committee
on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) in complementing the
efforts of the Member-States in the development of science, innovation and
technologies, promoting research and joint programs and call upon the Member
States to actively implement the outcome of the OIC Summit on Science and
Technology held last year in Astana, Kazakhstan.
29-We underline the importance of intra-OIC economic
cooperation and sharing experience among OIC Member States in addressing the
issues related to of economic slowdown, introducing the innovative
technologies, forming a favorable investment and business climate, implementing
the long term mutually beneficial projects in priority areas of cooperation and
infrastructure development to transform our societies and commend the role
being played by COMSEC, IDB and other OIC Institutions in promoting intra OIC
trade and exchange.
30-We support the efforts of the OIC Member-states on the
implementation of national programs for renewable energy and creation of an
innovative economy, and call to continue studying international best practices
in this area.
31-We note that in the conditions of depletion of natural
resources and exacerbation of problems in the field of protection and
preservation of the environment, ecosystem and biodiversity, and emphasize the
need for a robust global cooperation on climate change especially for countries
vulnerable to adverse consequences to climate change, including adequate
financing, transfer of technology, and capacity building support from developed
to developing nations. In this context, [we applaud the role of Bangladesh in
environmental protection campaign, particularly in setting up a Climate Change
Trust Fund out of own resources, in conservation and sustainable use of the
oceans, seas and maritime resources and hope that the country would continue in
such leading role.
32-We affirm the special importance of the development of
tourism, as a key economic sector which contributes to a long-term sustainable
growth, socio-economic development, and as consequently, enhancement of mutual
understanding and promotion of tolerance among diverse peoples and cultures.
33-We underline the importance of healthcare in ensuring
high living standards and prosperity of society as a whole, and in this
context, call for the effective and full implementation of the «OIC Strategic
Health Program of Action 2014-2023», as well as welcome the strengthening of
cooperation of the OIC with relevant international partners in the sphere of
health care.
34-We also underline the importance of the OIC-UN
cooperation in terms of achieving our shared interests and common goals and
further underscore our support for an enhanced observer status of the OIC in
the UN.
35-We welcome the proposal made by……….to hold the 46th
Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in…….2019.
36-We appreciate the readiness of The Gambia to host 14th
Islamic Summit in Banjul in 2019 and urged all the Member States to participate
at the highest level. We also call on them to extend the necessary assistance
to the country for a successful hosting of the Summit.
37-We express our appreciation to the Secretary General
of the OIC His Excellency Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen for his overall efforts in
promoting the interests of the Ummah and Joint Islamic Action in order to
achieve the goals, vision and mission of the OIC in the various domains.
38-We further commend his efforts to deepen cooperation
and partnership of the OIC with regional, sub-regional and international
organizations and in particular, the UN and its institutions.
39-Finally, we express our deep appreciation to the
people and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for a warm
hospitality and excellent arrangements which ensured the success of the 45th
Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers under the motto «Islamic Values for
Sustainable Peace and Development».