Introduction
The Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) is the second-largest international organisation after the
United Nations. It comprises 57 member states spread across four continents.
The Organisation represents the collective voice of the Islamic world and seeks
to protect and articulate its interests in support of international peace and
harmony and to strengthen relations among the various peoples of the world.
The Organisation is distinguished by
its role in uniting the Muslim Ummah and representing Muslims, championing
issues of concern to more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. It maintains
consultative and cooperative relations with the United Nations and other
international intergovernmental organisations, with the aim of safeguarding the
vital interests of Muslims and working towards the settlement of disputes and
conflicts involving its member states.
The Organisation has taken numerous
steps to defend the true values of Islam and Muslims, correct misconceptions
and false perceptions, and actively combat all forms of discrimination against
Muslims.
History of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was established
following a resolution adopted at the historic summit held in Rabat,
Kingdom of Morocco, on 12 Rajab 1389 AH (corresponding to 25 September
1969), in response to the arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied
Jerusalem.
In 1970, the first Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held
in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The conference decided to establish a
General Secretariat headquartered in Jeddah and headed by a
Secretary-General of the Organisation.
The Charter of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was adopted
at the third session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in
1972. The Charter established the Organisation’s objectives, principles
and fundamental goals, which centre on strengthening solidarity and
cooperation among member states. Over more than four decades following its
establishment, the Organisation’s membership grew from 30 founding member
states to 57 member states today. The Charter was subsequently amended to
keep pace with global developments. The current Charter was adopted at the
11th Islamic Summit, held in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in 2008. The
new Charter serves as the foundation for future Islamic cooperation in
accordance with the requirements of the twenty-first century.
Iraq submitted its application to join the Organisation of the
Islamic Conference in 1976.
Iraq’s accession to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was
ratified under Law No. 43 of 1982 on Iraq’s Accession to the Organisation
of the Islamic Conference. The law was published in Issue No. 2884 of the Iraqi
Official Gazette, dated 17 May 1982.
Organs of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation
–
The Islamic Summit
The Organisation holds ordinary summit
sessions every three years, on the basis of geographical rotation among the
three groups of member states: Arab, Asian and African.
The most recent summit was the (Fifteenth) Islamic Summit, held in
Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, on 4–5 May 2024.
1. Paragraph 32
of the Summit’s Final Communiqué addressed Iraq and stated:
“The Conference expressed its full support
for the Iraqi Government’s efforts to combat terrorism and welcomed its efforts
to achieve a resounding victory that led to the liberation of Iraqi cities from
the grip of the terrorist organisation ISIS. It reaffirmed its commitment to
Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity and highly commended the Iraqi
Government’s efforts to ensure the return of internally displaced persons to
their homes and to reconstruct the liberated areas, with a view to
strengthening and supporting national reconciliation and restoring stability in
those areas.”
–
Paragraph 33 of the Final Communiqué
stated:
“The Conference also emphasised the
importance of the role played by Iraq and Iran in combating terrorism in all
its forms and manifestations, a role that is indispensable to achieving peace
and stability in the region.”
–
Iraq entered reservations regarding the
expressions “the two-state solution” and “the 4 June 1967 lines” wherever they
appeared in the documents issued by the Summit.
–
The Sixteenth Islamic Summit is will be
held in Azerbaijan in (2027).
The Organisation also convenes
extraordinary summits, the most recent extraordinary summit was the Joint
Arab-Islamic Follow-up Summit, held in Riyadh on 11 November 2024 to discuss
the Israeli brutal aggression against the Palestinian people. An emergency
extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit was also held on 15 September 2025 to discuss
the Israeli attack on Qatar, which targeted certain Arab figures residing in
the country. A Joint Arab-Islamic Summit was held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, on 25 August 2025 to discuss the ongoing Israeli aggression against the
Palestinian people. An extraordinary summit was held in Jeddah, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, on 28 August 2026 to elect Ismail Ould Cheikh as
Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
–
Iraq’s Position on the Palestinian Issue at
the Joint Arab-Islamic Follow-up Summit held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, on 11 November 2024, Iraq entered reservations regarding the
expressions “the two-state solution” and “the 4 June 1967 lines” wherever they
appeared in the documents issued by the Summit.
– Council of Foreign Ministers: The
Organisation holds annual meetings of its Council of Foreign Ministers, based
on geographical rotation among the three groups: Arab, Asian and African.
– The most recent session was the 51st
Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Istanbul, Republic of
Türkiye, on 21–22 June 2025. The preceding, 50th session was held in Yaoundé,
the capital of Cameroon.
Iraq’s Positions at the 51st Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation was held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, on 21–22 June
2025, under the theme “The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in a Changing
World.” The Iraqi delegation was headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
–
Resolution No. 47/51-S on Supporting Iraq’s
Efforts to Enhance Regional and International Stability and Economic
Integration commended the Iraqi Government’s programme and its efforts to
eliminate ISIS. It also praised the Iraqi Government’s efforts to convene the
Baghdad Conference for Partnership, as well as Iraq’s role in resolving
regional problems. The resolution further addressed the allocation of premises
in Baghdad for an OIC office, commended the Development Road Project, and
expressed appreciation to the Republic of Iraq for offering to host the Fourth
Ministerial Meeting of Law Enforcement Agencies on Anti-Corruption in Arab and
Islamic Countries in 2028. It also welcomed the decision adopted by the 13th
Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, held in Jeddah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 12–13 February 2025, to designate Baghdad as the
Capital of Culture of the Islamic World for 2026. In addition, it welcomed
Iraq’s offer to host the Sixth Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports
Ministers, scheduled to take place in 2025.
–
Resolution No. 12/51-C on the Republic of
Iraq’s Hosting of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in 2026,
Under this resolution, Iraq was designated to host the 52nd Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers in 2026. Accordingly, Iraq became a member of the
Organisation’s Executive Committee from the opening of the 51st Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers until the conclusion of the 53rd session.
–
Addition to Resolution No. 69/51-S on the
Recent Israeli Regime Attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, a new
paragraph, numbered 10, stating: “The flagrant violation of Iraqi airspace is
condemned as an explicit breach of the principles of international law, and the
Israeli regime bears legal and political responsibility for this act of
aggression.”
–
Iraq entered reservations regarding the
expressions “the two-state solution” and “the 4 June 1967 lines” wherever they
appeared in the documents issued by the session.
–
Iraq entered a reservation regarding
Resolution No. 18/51-S on the situation in Cyprus.
–
Iraq entered a reservation regarding
Resolution No. 3/51-MM on the Muslim Community in Western Thrace and the Muslim
population of the Dodecanese.
–
The Council of Foreign Ministers also
convenes extraordinary sessions. The Twentieth Extraordinary Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation was held at the Organisation’s General Secretariat in
Jeddah on 7 March 2025. The meeting addressed the ongoing aggression against
the Palestinian people, calls for their displacement from their homeland, and
the resumption of the Syrian Arab Republic’s membership in the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation. During the meeting, Iraq entered reservations regarding
the expressions “the 4 June borders” and “the two-state solution.” Iraq also
aligned itself with the draft resolution concerning the resumption of Syria’s
membership in the Organisation.
–
The Executive Committee comprises The
current, previous and incoming Chairs of the Islamic Summit: The Gambia, the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, respectively. The current, previous and
incoming Chairs of the Council of Foreign Ministers: Türkiye, Cameroon and
Iraq, respectively. The Secretary-General, ex officio. The Committee
holds meetings at ministerial level or at the level of permanent
representatives.
–
General Secretariat
The General Secretariat comprises the
Secretary-General, who serves as the Organisation’s chief administrative
officer; five Assistant Secretaries-General; Directors-General; and other staff
members, as required by the Organisation’s needs.
The five Assistant Secretaries-General
oversee the following areas:
1. Political
Affairs.
2. Social and
Humanitarian Affairs.
3. Administrative
and Financial Affairs.
4. Economic
Affairs.
5. Science and
Technology.
The Council of Foreign Ministers elects the
Secretary-General for a five-year term, renewable once. The Secretary-General
is elected from among nationals of the member states in accordance with the
principles of equitable geographical distribution, rotation and equal
opportunities among all member states, while taking into account competence,
integrity and experience.
–
Secretary-General
The current Secretary-General of the
Organisation is Mr Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, a Mauritanian national and the
Organisation’s 13th Secretary-General. He assumed office in August 2026,
succeeding Dr Hissein Brahim Taha, a Chadian national.
–
Committee of Permanent Representatives
The Committee comprises the permanent
representatives of the member states accredited to the Organisation. Its
functions and working procedures are governed by rules of procedure issued by
the Council of Foreign Ministers. Several meetings have been held to establish
new rules of procedure for the Committee’s work.
–
Subsidiary Organs
A state becomes a member of these organs
upon joining the Organisation. Financial contributions to these organs are
mandatory.
The subsidiary organs include:
–
Islamic Fiqh Academy — headquartered in
Jeddah.
–
Islamic Solidarity Fund — headquartered in
Jeddah.
–
Islamic University of Technology —
headquartered in Dhaka.
–
Research Centre for Islamic History, Art
and Culture (IRCICA) — headquartered in Istanbul.
–
Statistical, Economic and Social Research
and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) — headquartered in Ankara.
–
Islamic Centre for the Development of Trade
(ICDT) — headquartered in Casablanca.
–
Specialised Institutions: Membership in
these institutions is voluntary for member states. Their budgets are
independent of the Organisation’s budget and are determined by their respective
governing boards.
–
Islamic Development Bank
–
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is
headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Iraq is represented in the
Bank by the Central Bank of Iraq.
–
Islamic World Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
–
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is headquartered in Rabat, Kingdom of
Morocco.
–
Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) brings
together news agencies of the Organisation’s member states. The Iraqi News
Agency was a member of the Union until it was dissolved in 2003. Following its
re-establishment in 2018, the Iraqi News Agency did not rejoin the Union.
–
The Union of OIC Broadcasting Organisations
(OSBU) is headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
–
The Islamic Committee of the International
Crescent (ICIC) is headquartered in Benghazi, Libya. The Iraqi Red Crescent
Society is a member of the Committee.
– The Islamic Organisation for Food
Security (IOFS) is headquartered in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Iraq
joined the Organisation in 2023.
– The Women Development Organization (WDO)
in OIC Member States is headquartered in Cairo. The Iraqi Council of
Representatives rejected the draft law on Iraq’s accession to the Organisation.
–
Affiliated Institutions: Membership in
these institutions is voluntary. Iraq is a member of several of them:
–
Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry —
Karachi, Pakistan.
–
Organisation of Islamic Capitals and Cities
— Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
–
Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation —
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
–
Islamic Shipowners Association — Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia.
–
World Federation of International
Arab-Islamic Schools — Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt.
–
Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue
and Cooperation — Istanbul, Türkiye.
–
World Muslim Scout Union.
–
Islamic World Academy of Sciences.
–
Union of Consultants in Islamic Countries.
–
General Council for Islamic Banks and
Financial Institutions.
–
Union of Contractors in Islamic Countries.
–
OIC Computer Emergency Response Team.
–
Standards and Metrology Institute for
Islamic Countries (SMIIC).
–
Real Estate Union of Islamic Countries.
–
Forum of Broadcasting Regulators of the
Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (IBRAF).
–
The Islamic Development Bank
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is an
international Islamic financial institution and one of the specialised
institutions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The Bank was
officially inaugurated in 1975. Its objective is to support economic
development and social progress among the peoples of its member states and
Muslim communities, both collectively and individually, in accordance with the
principles of Islamic Sharia. The Bank has 57 member states. The principal
condition for membership is that a country must be a member of the Organisation
of Islamic Cooperation and subscribe to the Bank’s capital in accordance with
the provisions determined by the Board of Governors. The Bank’s authorised
capital amounts to 6 billion Islamic dinars, divided into 600,000 shares, each
valued at 10,000 Islamic dinars. The Bank is headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia. It has also established regional offices in Egypt, Morocco,
Türkiye, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Suriname, Senegal, Uganda
and Nigeria. The President of the Islamic Development Bank Group is Dr Muhammad
Sulaiman Al Jasser, a Saudi national. The Islamic dinar is the Bank’s unit
of account and is equivalent to one Special Drawing Right (SDR) of the
International Monetary Fund.
–
Iraq and the Islamic Development Bank: Iraq’s
contribution to the Bank’s capital amounts to 150 million Islamic dinars,
representing 0.26% of its capital. Iraq is represented on the Board of
Governors by:
Dr Ali Mohsen Ismail Al-Alaq, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq.
Ms Bureen Abdul Salam Qasim, Director-General and Chairperson of
the Board of Directors of the Iraqi Fund for External Development.
Two projects concerning Iraq are currently
on the Bank’s agenda: the Institute of Administration in Hawija and the wheat
silos in Maysan. The Bank has expressed its willingness on several occasions to
finance development projects in Iraq.
Technical Projects and Programmes
A. Approved Projects under the OIC Islamic
Development Bank
1. Maysan Wheat
Silos Project: Estimated cost of USD 22 million.
2. Construction
of a Technical Institute in Hawija District, Kirkuk Governorate: Estimated cost
of USD 15 million.
B. New Projects under Study
1. Construction
of Wheat and Corn Silos: Estimated cost of USD 75 million.
2. Water
Project: Estimated cost of USD 45 million.
3. Construction
of a Concrete Silo in Wasit Governorate: Storage capacity of 100,000 tonnes.
4. Construction
of Metal Silos in Anbar Governorate: Storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes.
Permanent Committees
1. Al-Quds Committee
The Al-Quds Committee was established
pursuant to Resolution No. 1/6-S, adopted by the Sixth Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers, held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the period
beginning on 12 July 1975.
The Committee’s objectives include:
Following up on the implementation of resolutions adopted by the
Islamic Conference, as well as subsequent resolutions.
Monitoring the resolutions of other international bodies that
support or are consistent with the position of the Islamic Conference.
Establishing contacts with other bodies.
Proposing appropriate measures to member states to implement
resolutions and achieve their objectives.
Taking any measures deemed appropriate in response to emerging
developments, within the limits of its mandate.
Implementing all resolutions of the Islamic Conference relating to
the Arab-Israeli conflict, given the fundamental interconnection between
the issues of Al-Quds, Palestine and that conflict.
The Council of Foreign Ministers elects the
members of the Committee for a three-year term, renewable for an additional
term. Iraq is a member of the Committee. The Committee meets at the invitation
of its Chairperson or a majority of its members. A meeting is considered
quorate when attended by a majority of its members. To date, the Committee has
held 17 sessions. It submits its reports to the Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers, while the General Secretariat provides the necessary facilities to
enable it to carry out its duties.
–
Permanent Council for Information and
Cultural Affairs (COMIAC) was established as a ministerial committee pursuant
to Resolution No. 3/13-S (I.S.), adopted by the Third Islamic Summit
Conference, held in Makkah and Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 1981. The
Committee is chaired by the President of the Republic of Senegal and is
headquartered in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Membership is open to all
member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
–
Standing Committee for Economic and
Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) was established as a ministerial committee
pursuant to Resolution No. 3/13-S (I.S.), adopted by the Third Islamic Summit
Conference, held in Makkah and Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 1981. The
Committee’s mandate is to follow up on the implementation of resolutions
adopted by the Islamic Conference in the economic and commercial fields. It
also examines ways to strengthen cooperation among Islamic countries and
prepares programmes and proposals designed to improve their capacities in these
areas. The Committee is chaired by the President of the Republic of Türkiye and
is headquartered in Ankara, the Turkish capital. Membership is open to all
member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The most recent
ministerial-level meeting of the Committee was held in Istanbul, Republic of
Türkiye, on 2–5 November 2024. Iraq participated in the meeting with a
delegation headed by the Minister of Trade.
–
The Standing Committee on Scientific and
Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) was established in January 1981 pursuant
to Resolution No. 3/13-S (I.S.), adopted by the Third Islamic Summit
Conference, held in Makkah and Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 1981. The
Committee aims to follow up on the implementation of resolutions adopted by the
Islamic Conference in the fields of science and technology. It also examines
ways to strengthen cooperation among Islamic countries in these fields and
prepares programmes and proposals intended to enhance the capabilities of
member states. The Committee is chaired by the President of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan and is headquartered in Islamabad, the capital of
Pakistan. Membership is open to all member states of the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation.
Ten-Year Programme of Action
The member states of the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation face multiple challenges in the twenty-first century. To
address these challenges, the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference,
held in Makkah in December 2005, adopted a plan in the form of a Ten-Year
Programme of Action aimed at strengthening joint action among member states. By
the end of 2015, the implementation of the Organisation’s Ten-Year Programme of
Action had been successfully completed.
–
The current Programme of Action, covering
the period 2016–2025, was adopted at the 13th Islamic Summit Conference, held
in Istanbul on 14–15 April 2016. It serves as a comprehensive roadmap for the
Organisation’s member states, providing a multidimensional response to the
challenges facing the Muslim Ummah in intellectual, cultural, political,
social, economic and developmental fields, while establishing mechanisms for
monitoring progress. The Programme enjoys full support at the highest levels
from the member states and the Organisation’s General Secretariat.
–
The Ten-Year Programme of Action for
2016–2025 is based on the provisions of the Charter of the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation. It comprises 18 priority areas and 107 objectives. These
priority areas include: Peace and security. Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Poverty
alleviation. Combating terrorism. Investment and project financing. Food
security. Science and technology. Climate change. Sustainable development. Moderation.
Culture and interfaith harmony. Women’s empowerment. Joint Islamic humanitarian
action. Human rights. Good governance. Other related areas.
–
Preparations are currently under way to
develop the draft Ten-Year Programme of Action for 2026–2035. The Group of
Intergovernmental Experts held its first meeting on this matter from 1 to 3
October 2024. The Director of the International Relations Division at the
Ministry of Planning’s Department of International Cooperation was appointed as
the focal point responsible for following up on the implementation of the
Programme.
Financial Contributions
1. Iraq’s
contribution to the budget of the Organisation’s General Secretariat and its
subsidiary organs is set at 2%.
2. Iraq’s
Contribution to the General Secretariat’s 2025 Budget: Iraq’s assessed
contribution to the Organisation’s General Secretariat budget for 2025,
including the budget of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission,
amounts to USD 809,920.
The Minister approved payment of this
contribution in accordance with his endorsement dated 1 March 2025, which
stated: “Approved in principle, subject to the applicable administrative and
financial regulations and instructions.” The endorsement was made on the
original memorandum submitted by our Department under Ref. No. 24, dated 20
January 2025.
3. On 20 March
2025, the Ministry’s Financial Department sent Letter No. H/4/Contributions /502/2514 to the Ministry of Finance /
Accounting Department / Cash Section H10, requesting that instructions be
issued to the Central Bank of Iraq to take the necessary measures to settle the
aforementioned contribution. The Republic of Iraq subsequently paid its
outstanding financial contributions to the budget of the Independent Permanent
Human Rights Commission on 9 November 2025.
4.
5. The Shiite
Endowment Diwan paid Iraq’s contribution to the budget of the International
Islamic Fiqh Academy for 2023, amounting to USD 59,850, as well as Iraq’s
outstanding debts for previous years, totalling USD 415,406. The payment
benefited from the debt-reduction provisions stipulated in Resolution No.
2/47-AF, adopted at the 47th Session of the Organisation’s Council of Foreign
Ministers. Consequently, Iraq has no outstanding debts owed to the Academy. The
Shiite Endowment Diwan also paid Iraq’s assessed contribution for 2024,
amounting to USD 59,850. However, the contribution for 2025, also amounting to
USD 59,850, had not been paid as of now.
6. The Shiite
Endowment Diwan paid USD 83,466 towards Iraq’s contributions to the Islamic
Solidarity Fund for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 financial years, as well as part of
Iraq’s contribution for 2024. The full contribution for 2025, amounting to USD
25,190, was also paid under Receipt No. 375, dated 24 February 2025. The
remaining outstanding debt amounts to USD 100,509, and the Diwan has reaffirmed
its commitment to settling this amount.
7. The Ministry
of Higher Education and Scientific Research paid Iraq’s mandatory contribution
to the budget of the Islamic University of Technology for the 2023 financial
year, in addition to the outstanding debts from previous years. However, the
contributions for 2024 and 2025, each amounting to USD 99,500, had not yet been
paid. The total outstanding amount is therefore USD 199,000.
8. It is
important to benefit from Resolution No. 2/47-AF, adopted at the 47th Session
of the Organisation’s Council of Foreign Ministers, which provides for the
possibility of cancelling up to 50% of outstanding arrears, subject to payment
of the financial contribution for 2021 and continued payment for two
consecutive years. If payments continue in subsequent years, an additional 25%
reduction in outstanding arrears may be considered. The implementation of this
resolution was extended under Resolution No. 3/50-AM, adopted by the Council of
Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation at its 50th
Session, held in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, on 29–30 August 2024. The
extension provides for the continuation of the discount period for two years,
beginning on 1 January 2025.
9. Iraq’s
mandatory contributions to the Organisation’s subsidiary organs, for which
payment is the responsibility of other ministries and institutions, total USD
416,793 for the 2025 financial year. However, outstanding debts from previous
years remain, as detailed in the table below.
Baghdad Office of
the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
1. The Iraqi
Government decided to cover the rental costs of premises for the Organisation
of Islamic Cooperation’s office in Baghdad. A property in the Al-Mansour
district was selected as the new headquarters of the Office and handed over to
the OIC General Secretariat’s representative on 17 April 2024 by the handover
committee established pursuant to Ministerial Orders Nos. 6258 and 6271, both
dated 17 April 2024, following the signing of the handover report by both
parties.
2. The Office
began operating from its new premises on 1 January 2025, as recorded in the
Office’s Memorandum No. 1, dated 2 January 2025. Ambassador Mohammed Samir
Al-Naqshbandi assumed the position of Director of the Baghdad Office.
3. Discussions
are currently under way between the Iraqi side and the Organisation’s General
Secretariat to prepare a headquarters agreement for the OIC Office in Baghdad.
4. Iraq is
seeking to upgrade the Baghdad Office to the status of a regional office. This
requires submitting a draft resolution to the Council of Foreign Ministers,
accompanied by an explanatory memorandum outlining the importance of converting
the Office into a regional office.
Agreements, Statutes and Memoranda of
Understanding
1. Discussions
are currently under way between the Iraqi side and the Organisation’s General
Secretariat to prepare a headquarters agreement for the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation’s office in Baghdad.
2. The Statute
of the Funds of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
3. The Statute
of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Fund for Supporting Youth in the
Sahel Region and the Lake Chad Basin.
4. The Trade
Preferential System among the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation, which falls within the remit of the Ministry of Trade.
5. The draft
Protocol of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on the Establishment of a
Permanent Mechanism for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, which invites
the Organisation’s member states to participate. This matter falls within the
remit of the Ministry of Trade and the National Investment Commission.
6. Iraq,
represented by the Ministry of Justice, signed the Statute of the Islamic Court
of Justice. However, it has not yet been ratified, pending the decision of the
committee established for this purpose.
7. Iraq,
represented by the Federal Commission of Integrity, signed the Makkah
Al-Mukarramah Convention on Cooperation in the Enforcement of Anti-Corruption
Laws during the Second Meeting of Law Enforcement Agencies on
Anti-Corruption in the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation, held in Doha on 27 November 2024.
Meetings and Visits
1. At the
invitation of the Iraqi Government, OIC Secretary-General Mr Hissein Brahim
Taha participated in the Arab Summit held in Baghdad on 17 May 2025.
2. A delegation
from the OIC General Secretariat, headed by Assistant Secretary-General for
Political Affairs Ambassador Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Dobeay, visited Baghdad
from 2 to 6 June 2024 to hold political consultations, discuss the activation
of the Baghdad Office’s operations and explore mechanisms for upgrading it to a
regional office. The delegation also discussed the preliminary draft of the
headquarters agreement between the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
3. At the
invitation of the Independent High Electoral Commission, the OIC General
Secretariat dispatched an observer mission to monitor the parliamentary
elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, held on 20 October 2024. The General
Secretariat subsequently issued a statement commending the elections.
4. OIC
Secretary-General Dr Hissein Brahim Taha visited Baghdad from 27 to 30 August
2023, during which he met with the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
5. Secretary-General
of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy Dr Qutb Mustafa Sano visited Baghdad
at the invitation of the Iraqi Fiqh Academy from 4 to 8 April 2023. During his
visit, he met with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President
of the Sunni Endowment Diwan and the President of the Shiite Endowment Diwan.
6. Assistant
Secretary-General for Political Affairs Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Dobeay visited
Iraq on 16–17 February 2022 and met with the Prime Minister, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Planning, the
President of the Shiite Endowment Diwan and the President of the Sunni
Endowment Diwan. The meetings addressed ways to support the Iraqi Government’s
efforts to strengthen the Organisation’s representation in Iraq by removing
obstacles to its operations and achieving objectives that would enhance Iraq’s
pivotal role within the Organisation.
7. Assistant
Secretary-General for Political Affairs Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Dobeay visited
Iraq from 1 to 4 December 2025. During his visit, he met with H.E. Ambassador
Shorsh Khalid Saeed, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral and
Legal Affairs. The discussions focused on ways to support the Iraqi Government
in preparing for the organisational and technical arrangements for the 52nd
Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, scheduled to be held in Baghdad on
11–12 April 2026.
International Conferences and High-Level
Meetings Iraq Seeks