1 OIC/ICFM-34/2007/ISLAMABAD-DEC
ISLAMABAD DECLARATION ADOPTED BY THE THIRTY FOURTH SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS (SESSION OF PEACE, PROGRESS AND HARMONY) ISLAMABAD, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN 28 – 30 RABI AL-THANI 1428 H (15-17 MAY 2007) OIC/ICFM-34/2007/ISLAMABAD-DEC 2 ISLAMABAD DECLARATION ADOPTED BY THE THIRTY FOURTH SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS (SESSION OF PEACE, PROGRESS AND HARMONY) ISLAMABAD, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN 28 – 30 RABI AL-THANI, 1428 H (15-17 MAY 2007) 1. We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, participating in the Thirty Fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace, Progress and Harmony), having met in Islamabad, Pakistan, and considered the issues facing the Islamic Ummah, declare as follows: 2. We reaffirm our dedication to the noble tenets of our faith that call for peace, tolerance, justice and human dignity and guide our pursuit for progress and prosperity of the Ummah and humanity. 3. We reiterate our solemn commitment to the purposes, objectives and principles of our Organization and recognize that the unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah and effective cooperation and coordination among the Islamic countries are vital for prosperity and development of the Ummah. 4. We reaffirm our resolve to realize the vision enshrined in the Makkah Declaration and the Ten-year Programme of Action by effective implementation. 5. We express our determination to continue and speedily finalize the reform of the Organization of the Islamic Conference including its restructuring and drawing up a Revised Charter and strengthening its specialized and affiliated organs to enhance its role to effectively meet the challenges of the 21st century. 6. We remain committed to the promotion of global peace and security which can be achieved through just and peaceful resolution of international disputes and ending situations of foreign occupation. 7. We reiterate our firm resolve to continue relentless efforts for a just and peaceful settlement of the Arab Israeli conflict. We welcome OIC/ICFM-34/2007/ISLAMABAD-DEC 3 the renewal of the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, and the call of the Riyadh Arab League Summit for the early resumption of the peace process on the basis of this Initiative. 8. We also welcome all other initiatives for promoting peace with justice in the Middle East, including the efforts of the President of Pakistan. 9. We reiterate that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with AI-Quds Al Sharif as its capital, liberation of all occupied Arab territories of Palestine, Syria and Lebanon, return of Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes and implementation of the Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515 and General Assembly resolution 194 are vital for establishment of peace and security in the Middle East. 10. We also call for a just and comprehensive peace between Syria and Israel based on Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights since June 1967 in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. 11. We emphasize the importance of early restoration of peace and stability in Iraq. We support the continuing efforts for promoting national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people, addressing the causes of violence and terrorism, preserving the inviolability of Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, accelerating the capacity of the Iraqi security forces, and securing the earliest possible withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. 12. We emphasize that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Lebanon must be fully respected. We extend full support to the Government and people of Lebanon in their reconstruction and rebuilding efforts following the damage caused by Israeli aggression. 13. We reaffirm support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. We call for respect of the human rights of the Kashmiri people, and agree to provide all possible political and diplomatic support to the true representatives of the Kashmiri people in their struggle against foreign occupation. We hope that the ongoing composite dialogue between Pakistan and India will lead to a resolution of the Kashmir dispute and usher in lasting peace in South Asia. OIC/ICFM-34/2007/ISLAMABAD-DEC 4 14. We urge the international community to enhance its assistance to the Government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts towards peace, security, reconstruction and development. 15. We underscore the need to evolve an energy strategy that responds to the interests of the Member States. 16. We call for the reduction of tensions and resolution of differences concerning Iran’s nuclear issue through dialogue. We oppose use of force, which will further destabilize the region. We recognize Iran’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its readiness for the peaceful resolution of all issues. 17. We reaffirm the inalienable right of the Member States to acquire and use atomic energy for peaceful purposes, in a non-discriminatory manner and in accordance with their international legal obligations. 18. We support the efforts for national reconciliation, peace and lasting stability in the Republic of the Sudan, full respect of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Sudan, and call upon the international community to further support these efforts and the reconstruction of the Sudan and meet the humanitarian needs of its people, including in Darfur. 19. We reiterate our support for the process of settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of political equality of the two parties, and reaffirm our solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters in Northern Cyprus. We appeal to the international community, including the OIC Member States, to take concrete steps in order to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and to build cooperation in economic, cultural, scientific, technological and other fields. 20. We strongly condemn the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and urge immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian occupying forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan. We call for peaceful resolution of this conflict on the basis of respect for territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders. 21. We emphasize the importance of maintaining the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Somalia. We urge OIC Member States to consider the possibility of providing support and assistance to the peace keeping forces in OIC/ICFM-34/2007/ISLAMABAD-DEC 5 Somalia and appeal to all OIC Member States to support the reconstruction efforts in Somalia, at all levels. 22. We reaffirm our determination to promote our collective security. We support the proposal to formulate new international consensus to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation on a universal and nondiscriminatory basis. 23. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations committed by whomsoever and wherever, express sympathy to the victims of terrorism and denounce efforts to link terrorism with any religion, theology or culture. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthen mutual cooperation in the fight against terrorism through, inter alia, mutual exchange of information, capacity building assistance and by addressing the root causes of terrorism such as unresolved conflicts, continued suppression and marginalization of peoples and denial of the right of peoples to their self-determination in situations of foreign occupation. We emphasize the need for greater coordination among OIC countries in responding to the challenges of terrorism. We support the establishment of an international centre for counter terrorism. 24. We condemn the growing trend of Islamophobia and systematic discrimination against the adherents of Islam. We call upon the international community to prevent incitement to hatred and discrimination against the Muslims and take effective measures to combat defamation of religions and acts of negative stereotyping of people based on religion, belief or ethnicity. We request the Secretary General to continue the OIC initiatives to effectively counter Islamophobia through discussions and debates at various international fora. 25. We commend the concept of Enlightened Moderation to combat extremism and terrorism, resolve international disputes, conflicts and injustices affecting Islamic countries and peoples, to promote tolerance and harmony in accordance with the real values of Islam. 26. We emphasize that inter-civilizational dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding amongst peoples should be effectively used for promoting human welfare and progress and for strengthening international peace and security, tolerance and global harmony. OIC/ICFM-34/2007/ISLAMABAD-DEC 6 27. We reaffirm the responsibility of the Islamic world in reviewing the condition of Muslim communities and minorities in Non-OIC countries to ensure promotion and protection of their basic rights including cultural and religious freedom. 28. We express our resolve to vigorously pursue social and economic development in the Islamic countries through eradication of poverty and increasing and promoting investment and trade. We will continue working for establishing a Free Trade Area for greater economic integration in the Islamic world and in this regard request the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to prepare projects to enlarge mutual trade and investment among the Member States. We call on the Islamic Development Bank to promote and coordinate significantly enlarged development cooperation among Member States specially to assist the less developed OIC countries. We welcome the creation of the OIC $10 billion target Poverty Alleviation Fund for OIC Members States by the IDB and commit ourselves to contribute to ensure its success. 29. We resolve to intensify efforts to promote education and build the scientific and technological capacities in the Islamic countries, inter alia, by ensuring non-discriminatory access to technology, promoting research and development in areas of interest to OIC countries, establishing scientific and technology centres and linkages between them, as well as utilizing fully the potential of information technology. 30. We emphasize a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Organization to respond to the challenges facing the humanity. We reaffirm our principled position that any reform of the Security Council should make it more democratic, representative and transparent and must ensure adequate representation of the OIC member states in any category of the expanded Security Council. 31. We express our deep appreciation for the dynamism of the Secretary General H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in defending and promoting Muslim causes. Done in Islamabad ( 30 Rabi al-Thani 1428 H, 17 May 2007). -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
