Representatives of the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and their specialised bodies convened in Astana for the 16th Biennial General Cooperation Meeting and discussed regional issues of common concern relevant to OIC member-states, as well as economic, development and social issues.

Hosted by the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), the three-day meeting in Kazakhstan concludes today, aiming to bolster cooperation between the two international bodies in response to escalating global challenges.

The meeting is co-chaired by Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East and Asia Pacific, and Dr. Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs.

Khiari noted that the meeting would help shape the strategic direction of collaboration between the two organisations across various activities and explore new avenues for cooperation, including deepening ongoing political dialogue and combating Islamophobia and religious intolerance.

The coordination meetings are held once in two years to promote cooperation between OIC institutions and UN agencies.