This ministerial committee was established pursuant to resolution 13/3 – P (IS) adopted by the Third Islamic Summit Conference, held in Makkah Al Mukaramah and Taif Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in January 1981. This followed the desire of the Conference to give information and culture in the Islamic Ummah a fresh beginning so as to acquaint international public opinion with the noble causes of the Islamic Ummah, in particular with the question of Palestine and AL Quds Al Sharif. It is also intended to confront unfair campaigns against Islam and Muslims. The duties of the Standing Committee for Information and Cultural Affairs include following up the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Islamic Conference within its term of reference; searching for ways to promote  cooperation between Member States in the areas of information and communication; and preparing programmes and proposals that could enhance the capabilities of states in these areas.

The committee has met five times as of December 1999 under the chairmanship of the Senegalese president Abdou Diof. During the sessions it has demonstrated the will power of Islamic States and their joint determination to mobilize all resources and energy in order to safeguard the unity of the Islamic Ummah and its cultural specificity.