JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called upon the future Afghan leadership and the international community to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used as a platform or haven for terrorists and not allow any terrorist organizations to have a foothold there. An emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee at the level of Permanent Representatives on the situation in Afghanistan was held on Sunday in Jeddah at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, and the OIC Executive Committee. The meeting expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the commitment of the OIC's member states to help bring peace, security, stability, and development to Afghanistan. The meeting also urged all parties to work towards advancing the interests of the Afghan people, to renounce violence and urgently restore security and civil order throughout the Afghan society. The meeting called on all parties to establish lasting peace to achieve the aspirations of the Afghan people for stability, decent life, respect of their rights, and prosperity. The meeting highlighted the international community's expectations from the future leadership in Afghanistan regarding promoting national reconciliation, observance of the international conventions and agreements, and adherence to the international governing norms enshrined in the UN Charter and resolutions. The meeting underscored the necessity to protect and respect the right to life, security, and dignity of the people of Afghanistan in compliance with the tolerant Islamic principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The meeting expressed serious concern about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan because of the increased flow of IDPs and refugees due to the current situation in the country, the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and drought; and in this respect, called on the member states, the Islamic financial institutions, and partners to act swiftly to provide humanitarian assistance in the areas that need it the most and urgently. The meeting underscored cooperation in facilitating safe evacuation operations and underscored that civilians wishing to leave Afghanistan must be allowed to do that. The meeting underscored the necessity for inclusive dialogue among all Afghan parties, representative of the people of Afghanistan for the future of their country. The meeting reaffirmed the OIC's full commitment to support the Afghan-led and owned peace process and comprehensive reconciliation to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution and ensure the support of this process by the main neighboring countries and the international community. It affirmed that the OIC stands with Afghanistan at this critical juncture. The meeting underscored the need for support by the international community to ensure that Afghanistan is assisted in its socio-economic development trajectory without interference in its internal affairs. The meeting stressed the necessity to resolve intra-Afghan differences through peaceful means. The meeting called for dispatching a high-level delegation from the OIC's General Secretariat to visit the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to convey the OIC's message towards supporting peace, stability, and national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
