Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday discussed a plan of action on the protection and integration of persons with disability at the open-ended meeting of the International Group of Experts at its headquarters in Jeddah.
During the meeting, experts reviewed the draft OIC Plan of Action on disability, which had been prepared by the Statistical, Economic Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and presented at the 1st Ministerial Meeting on Social Development in Istanbul back in 2019.
The initiative followed a resolution made at the 42nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers on cultural, social, and family affairs held in Kuwait in 2015.
The meeting provided an opportunity for participants to discuss implementation strategies, exchange experiences, and review challenges faced by the Muslim world concerning the empowerment and integration of persons with disabilities.
Ambassador Tarig Bakheet, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural, and Social Affairs emphasized that the OIC’s focus on social affairs, in addition to its political role, demonstrated the comprehensive nature of its work in addressing various issues affecting the Islamic Ummah.
The OIC’s efforts aimed to enhance the well-being of people within the Ummah and promote sustainable development, as outlined in the communique of the 14th Islamic Summit held in Makkah in 2019.
The finalization and adoption of the OIC Plan of Action will mark an important step forward in promoting inclusivity, protection, and integration of individuals with disabilities within OIC member countries.