The 12th Conference of the Information Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) kicked off today in Istanbul, Türkiye, under the theme "Combating Disinformation and Islamophobia in the Post-Truth Era." The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's representative, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Media for International Media Relations, Dr. Khaled Al-Ghamdi, delivered a speech at the meeting in which he highlighted the efforts made to implement the decisions of the previous session hosted by the Kingdom in Jeddah, praising the efforts of the General Secretariat in following up the implementation of media projects. Following his speech, Dr. Al-Ghamdi handed over the presidency of the meeting to the Head of the Public Diplomacy Department of the Directorate of Communications Oğuz Güner, who in turn delivered a speech where he welcomed the delegations and institutions participating in the meeting, which discusses important issues in media, highlighting the renewed role of media in confronting the phenomena of terrorism and Islamophobia. Ambassador Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Dobeay, assistant secretary-general for political affairs- in his capacity as representative of OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha - delivered a speech in which he stressed the importance of media in consolidating Islamic solidarity and the efforts of OIC in promoting joint Islamic media work. Al-Dobeay reviewed the main topics of the 12th session, which are represented in the role of the media in supporting the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the media program that concerns the African continent to highlight its position, support for the OIC satellite channel project and support for joint Islamic action institutions in media, and the project to launch the International Organization Award to honor the media and media professionals in promoting dialogue, tolerance and harmony between cultures. The members of the Bureau of the 12th Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers were elected as follows included Türkiye as the President, Palestine as a Vice-President, Guinea as a Vice-President, Somalia as a Vice-President, and Saudi Arabia as the Rapporteur. The meeting also discussed several issues in media affairs, the programs, and projects that have been accomplished in the media sector, and what has been achieved to develop media work since the 11th session, in addition to discussing the issues listed on the draft agenda and the comprehensive draft resolution presented to the meeting.
