Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe OIC representative also stressed the need for continued, coordinated international support for the Afghan people.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), at the Afghanistan Coordination Group meeting in Doha, emphasized continued engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities and cooperation with the United Nations, World Bank and European Union.
According to a statement, the OIC representative at the meeting identified girls’ education, counterterrorism, food security, and humanitarian and economic assistance as the organization’s priorities regarding Afghanistan. The representative also stressed the need for continued, coordinated international support for the Afghan people.
“The OIC reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the de facto authorities on these issues. It also stressed the importance of continued cooperation with international partners, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union, to ensure the delivery of consistent and integrated humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan,” the OIC statement read.
Sayed Enayatullah Adel, a political analyst, said: “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation should expand its cooperation with Afghanistan and take practical steps. It should also encourage the international community to strengthen its engagement with Afghanistan.”
On Saturday, the OIC held its 52nd two-day Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad, but no representative from Afghanistan attended.
Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat, said: “If the Organization of Islamic Cooperation develops a framework for cooperation with Afghanistan in the economic and political sectors, as well as strengthening relations with the international community, or at least with Islamic countries, it could help resolve many of Afghanistan’s problems. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s representatives are not invited to some of the organization’s meetings.”
Mohammad Aslam Daneshmal, a political analyst, said: “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states should take practical steps to establish relations with Afghanistan and move toward recognition.”
Earlier, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, speaking at the two-day Afghanistan Coordination Group meeting in Doha, emphasized continued international engagement with Afghanistan and said the country’s future should be determined through an inclusive, Afghan-led political process.
Meanwhile, Suhail Shaheen, the Islamic Emirate’s ambassador to Qatar, described the policy of pressure and isolation as unsuccessful, saying positive engagement and broader international cooperation with Afghanistan could help resolve challenges and strengthen regional stability.