Washington DC

Message of

HE Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu

Secretary-General of the OIC

Delivered by
HE Ambassador Abdul Wahab

Permanent Oberserver of the OIC to the United Nations

Excellencies

Dear Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all participants to this very important gathering on the occasion of the launching of the OIC Ambassadorial Group in Washington DC.

I would also like to extend very special welcome to Her Excellency Ambassador Karen Hughes, the US Under-Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

It is a duty and pleasure for me to acknowledge and highly appreciate the leading role and immense contribution of Her Excellency Dr. Rajmah Hussein, Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States in the preparation and successful completion of this initiative. Actually, her success in this project did not come to me as a surprise, as I had already witnessed her hard work for setting up a similar Group earlier in Vienna.

I understand that, as it is the case in all other OIC Groups in different parts of the world and at various international organizations, the Ambassador of the OIC Ministerial Conference will be chairing the Washington Group for a year. Therefore, I wish all the success and convey my felicitations to the first Chairman H.E. Mr. Yashar Aliyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan as he embarks upon his new and challenging journey.

I had desired to be with you on this important occasion, however, as the launching ceremony coincided with the Human Rights Council high segment meeting, I was unable to travel to Washington DC. Nevertheless, I look forward to visiting Washington DC during the current year, hopefully in September.

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The new vision of the OIC as outlined in its Ten-year Programme of Action places great emphasis upon active solidarity of the Member States for an agenda of moderation, modernization and development and calls upon Member States to coordinate effectively in all regional and international fora in order to protect and promote their collective interests. The formation and launching of the OIC Group in Washington DC falls within the scope of the OIC New Vision and is both timely and necessary given the need for more cooperation and understanding between the US and the Islamic World.

I am of the view that besides exchange of views on issues of political significance, particular emphasis should be put on promoting interaction and tolerance through structured and sustained dialogue with pertinent US government officials, legislators, public and academic institutions and media. Activities to promote the image of Islam as a progressive and enlightened religion should be encouraged and corresponding endeavours should be promoted. Development of close contacts with the mass media in Washington DC should be particularly encouraged to express the perspectives of the Muslim World on international developments.

The formation of the OIC Group in Washington DC reaffirms the OIC’s commitment at the highest level towards constructive dialogue with relevant members of the US administration, particularly the White House, the Congress and the State Department, on issues of common concern. In this context, I must state that we are pleased with the dialogue and cooperation we have started with the State Department following the mutually fruitful initial contacts established through Undersecretary of State H.E. Mr. Nicholas Burns during my visit to New York last September. It is our sincere desire to continue this dialogue at the highest level.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In conclusion, I would like to assure you that the OIC General Secretariat will extend all necessary support to valuable efforts of the OIC Group in Washington DC in achieving its objective.

I wish all the success to your Group and thank you all.