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UN-Islamic Bloc Ties Vital, Security Council Told, as It Adopts Presidential Statement

Meetings Coverage
Security Council

9964th Meeting (AM)

SC/16127
24 July 2025

Amid growing geopolitical complexity, cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) remains indispensable for maintaining international peace and security, the Security Council heard today, as it agreed on a presidential statement acknowledging the valuable role of the bloc mostly representing Muslim-majority countries.

In the consensus text (to be issued as document S/PRST/2025/5), the Council recognized the value of close cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to enhance the implementation of its resolutions in a coherent, efficient and effective manner.

Reaffirming its commitment to the pacific settlement of disputes, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Chapter VI, the Council noted the interest of utilizing the existing and potential capabilities of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation by encouraging its member countries to resolve differences peacefully through dialogue, reconciliation, consultation, negotiation, good offices, mediation, and judicial settlement of disputes.

Also by the text, the 15-member organ noted that the sharing of information between the UN and OIC is relevant for advancing conflict prevention and resolution, as well as peacebuilding, and encouraged exploring further cooperation in this area.

The Council further requested the Secretary-General to include in his next biannual report recommendations on ways to further enhance such cooperation.

Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific at the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, underscored that, as implementation of the Pact for the Future progresses, the UN-OIC partnership will remain "essential" to diffusing tensions, advancing sustainable peace, strengthening multilateral norms and principles, and promoting equitable and enduring development.

Bringing together 57 Member States, the OIC represents a vital political, economic, cultural and religious constituency, whose voice carries considerable weight in some of the world's conflict-affected situations.

Islamic Bloc's Engagements in Middle East, Asia, Africa

In the Middle East, the UN and the OIC have long shared common objectives in seeking a lasting resolution to the question of Palestine, he said, pointing to the annual joint Conference on the question of Jerusalem, held in Dakar on 9 July. He also spotlighted the Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, endorsed by the OIC and the League of Arab States through their Joint Ministerial Committee, as well as the upcoming Ministerial Meeting — co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia — to support the two-State solution.

Amid recent regional tensions, the OIC's consistent political backing for Lebanon has proven "particularly valuable", he observed. In Afghanistan, the OIC is a key partner in the UN's efforts to engage with the de facto authorities in the framework of the UN-convened Doha Process and in supporting the human rights of Afghan women and girls. The OIC is also a vital leading voice in support of the Rohingya, underscoring the need to address the root causes of their displacement and to create conditions for their safe, voluntary, dignified return, including the right to citizenship.

In Sudan, the OIC's support to international mediation efforts remains highly valuable as efforts continue to find a resolution that will prevent further disaster and return the country to "a path of peace", he stressed. Urging both Israel and Iran to adhere to a ceasefire, he cited the OIC's recent resolution on Iran — to establish an open-ended Ministerial Contact Group on De-escalation — as "a valuable contribution to international and UN efforts".

At a time when the international community seeks effective responses to mounting challenges, armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions, the UN-OIC cooperation across political, cultural, and scientific domains remains pivotal, echoed Yousef M. Al-Dobeay, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the OIC.

"The Palestinian cause remains a fundamental pillar of fruitful cooperation between our two organizations," he stated, underscoring the need to reach a ceasefire, promote a two-State solution, put an end to the Israeli settlements and occupation, restore the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and implement the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, he noted the OIC's constructive engagement with the de facto authorities on issues such as women's rights and the fight against terrorism. Still, he emphasized the need for stronger cooperation with the international community to help the country overcome its pressing challenges.

Calling for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transitional process, he urged the international community to step up its efforts to resolve the worsening humanitarian crisis. The Council must call on Israel "to put an end to its repeated aggression against Syria", he asserted. Reaffirming the OIC's unwavering support for Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he firmly rejected any interference in the country's internal affairs.

Expressing deep concern over the armed conflict in Sudan, he stressed the need to safeguard its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. "The Sudanese people have to make decisions about their own future," he stated, underscoring the imperative of achieving a peaceful resolution.

Turning to broader security challenges, he emphasized the critical importance of international cooperation in pursuing a nuclear weapons-free zone and advancing efforts under the auspices of the United Nations towards that goal.

Countering Islamophobia

"The OIC has consistently served as a bridge — connecting the global with regional efforts, and aligning political with the humanitarian priorities," observed Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Council President for July.

Whether in championing the rights of the Palestinian people for freedom and statehood, advocating for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for self-determination, or supporting peace efforts across Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and the Sahel and beyond, the OIC — the second largest intergovernmental organization after the UN representing over 1.9 billion people — has been "an indispensable interlocutor for the United Nations", he stressed.

"The urgency for coordinated and principled action has never been greater", he stated, underscoring the need for a strengthened partnership between the two organizations. Noting that "this engagement must transcend and evolve into operational synergy", he called for early warning systems informed by ground realities, joint mediation frameworks, and sustained political and technical collaboration. Nowhere is this cooperation more necessary than in countering the rising tide of extremism, he said, citing his country's initiative that led to the designation of 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and the subsequent adoption of a resolution that led to the appointment of a UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia — both of which he described as key "milestones".

Members of both organizations called for leveraging the OIC's capabilities in regional mediation. Recalling that the OIC was founded in 1969 in response to an arson attack on Al-Aqsa mosque — "a provocative assault on one of the holiest religious sites in the world" — Algeria's representative voiced deep regret that Palestinians continue to face hatred, discrimination and the systematic denial of their fundamental rights, including their right to establish their own State and live in dignity, freedom and security. "In today's interconnected world, promoting interfaith dialogue is no longer an option; it is a necessity," he added.

Similarly, Guyana's delegate highlighted the OIC's cross-regional membership and historic engagement in conflict resolution and called for more formal and sustained dialogue to be established on emerging and protracted conflicts in the region. In addition, she called for the setting up of a joint UN and OIC task force to advance collaboration in priority areas, including on delivering humanitarian aid. The question of Palestine is a singular priority of the OIC since its birth, she noted, underscoring the need to address the current horrific situation foisted on Palestinian civilians.

Adding to it, Somalia's delegate underscored the need to enhance joint preventive diplomacy, through the integration of technologies such as data analytics, early warning systems, and digital platforms.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation, noting his country's observer status in the OIC, said that the Islamic world's consistent and responsible position in a longstanding and acute regional crisis is based on respect for international law and dialogue. This "balanced" position contrasts with that of Israel and the United States, which undermines the basis for the Middle East settlement and sovereign equality, he said, emphasizing the relevance of joint efforts to deescalate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where a humanitarian catastrophe continues.

United States, China Trade Barbs

The United States' delegate encouraged the normalization of ties with Israel, adding: "We have already seen countries who signed the Abraham Accords benefit from increased security and prosperity." She also called on the OIC to support fellow Muslim groups facing repression and conflict, including Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in and outside Myanmar.

China's representative rejected "groundless accusations" on the Xinjiang region, which is enjoying peace, prosperity, and "the best period of development". Washington, D.C., is "hyping up" the issue in a vain attempt to interfere with his country's internal affairs, he said, adding that the United States' remarks only reflected its hegemonic nature and double standards. Highlighting the OIC's religious and historical advantage in conflict prevention and mediation, he stated that its "pressing priority" is to achieve a durable ceasefire in Gaza and called on the international community to ramp up efforts towards implementing the two-State solution.

Push for Palestinian Statehood

On that, France's delegate spotlighted the international conference it will co-chair with Saudi Arabia next week and welcomed the OIC's support for the road towards peace on the basis of the two-State solution. Turning to Syria, which has returned to the OIC "after years of war", she called on the OIC to help transitional authorities in Damascus restore peace and contribute to its socioeconomic recovery, particularly through the Islamic Development Bank.

Other delegates also emphasized the OIC's vital role in the conflict in the Middle East, with the representative of Denmark voicing support for the Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction in Gaza put forth by the Arab League and the OIC "as a firm basis for discussions on the future of Gaza", and Slovenia's delegate highlighting the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee in building a pathway for a diplomatic solution.

OIC's Role in Promoting Religious Tolerance

Panama's delegate highlighted the OIC's pioneering role in promoting religious tolerance, including in helping establish the International Day to Combat Islamophobia — "as a nation in which different expressions of religious faith coexist in harmony, including a Muslim community of around 25,000 people".

Similarly, the United Kingdom's delegate welcomed her country's deepening relationship with the OIC and its members, including hosting the OIC's International Academy of Jurisprudence to strengthen collaboration on key issues and interfaith dialogue. Noting that Council resolution 2686 (2023) was co-penned by her delegation, she said: "This was the first time a Security Council resolution had directly addressed the persecution of religious minorities in conflict settings."

The speaker for the Republic of Korea, addressing the situation in Afghanistan, said that the OIC can counter the Taliban's false representation of Islamic teachings and values and base its engagement there on its Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women.

Sierra Leone's delegate, voicing support for the OIC's role in conflict mediation and peacebuilding, called for greater technical and financial support to address its capacity limitations in this regard.

Northern Cyprus Sticking Point for Greece

However, Greece's delegate, striking a cautious note, said that, while his delegation supported a constructive engagement between the UN and the OIC, it opposes the content of certain OIC resolutions and declarations related to the Cyprus issue. In this context, he emphasized the need for strict adherence to Council resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), pointing out that the OIC has "most regrettably attributed observer status to the secessionist entity on the island since 2004", despite the fact that those Council texts clearly condemned its unilateral declaration of independence, demanding it be withdrawn. "At the end of the day, adopting positions that blatantly contravene international law does little to advance the cooperation with the UN," he added.