The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ahmed Khaleel has participated in the 17th Extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
The meeting was convened at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and hosted by the Government of Pakistan, in its capital Islamabad on Sunday.
In his remarks, State Minister Khaleel expressed concerns about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the people of Afghanistan and to the wider region. He highlighted that the Maldives is particularly concerned about the situation of Afghan women and girls, and stressed on the importance of protecting and promoting women’s rights.
He also called on all parties to engage in dialogue in good faith and to actively participate in national reconciliation efforts to restore democracy and to reach a political settlement of differences through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process. Further, he appealed to the international community to engage in efforts that would bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the people of Afghanistan.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, comprising of 57 Member States, is an international organization formed to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world. The Maldives became a member of the OIC on 26 July 1976 has since participated in all regular Summits, Extraordinary summits and the Foreign Ministers Meetings.
