Terrorism is defined by the New Vision as a global phenomenon that is not related to any religion, race or country. It is consequently distinguishable from legitimate resistance to foreign occupation which does not sanction the killing of innocent civilians. In condemning terrorism in all its forms and rejecting any attempts to justify or rationalize it, the New Vision also commits the OIC to advance the introduction of comprehensive qualitative changes in the national laws and legislations of Member States to criminalize all terrorist practices including supporting, financing and instigating terrorism.

The OIC participates actively in international counter-terrorism efforts including major conferences in Cairo (July 2006) and Copenhagen (July 2006). Additionally, the OIC has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to organize its own counter-terrorism workshop in Jeddah (April 2006) which counted upon the participation of the OIC Committee of the Thirteen States on Combating Terrorism.

In addition to implementing the recommendations of the International Convention on Combating Terrorism (Riyadh, February 2005), the New Vision purports concrete steps towards the establishment of an International Centre for Combating Terrorism. Efforts are also underway to develop an International Code of Conduct to Combat Terrorism, including the convening of a special session of the UN General Assembly to establish a comprehensive strategy that would have international consensus.

In this regard the OIC’s UN Mission in New York has played an active role in coordinating the efforts of Member States and assisting in the UN Counter-Terrorism strategy. The New Vision is also committed to advancing the ratification and implementation of the OIC Convention on Combating Terrorism (Entry into force: November 2002) which to date has been signed by 5 countries and ratified by 12 others.