Baghdad, November 03 (QNA) - As Iraq assumes the chairmanship of the 52nd session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, it faces a diplomatic, political, and economic test, which lies in its ability to translate the outcomes of the session, hosted by Baghdad last month, into practical steps that contribute to addressing the crises of the Islamic world and fostering cooperation among its member states.

The session concluded with the adoption of the Baghdad Declaration, which emphasized the importance of strengthening solidarity among member states and unifying their positions on common issues and challenges, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, as well as supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Head of the OIC Mission in Iraq Mohammed Samir Al Naqshbandi affirmed that the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers demonstrated the member states' ability to sustain dialogue and reach consensus, despite the political challenges facing the region.

In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Naqshbandi said that the meeting underscored the importance of Islamic solidarity and the strengthening of joint cooperation to address security, humanitarian, economic, and social challenges, while leveraging the potential of member states to devise effective solutions that benefit all.

He explained that what distinguishes the Baghdad Declaration is its ability to achieve consensus among member states and overcome obstacles that hinder the formulation of a unified political position.

Regarding the Palestinian cause, Al Naqshbandi emphasized that its central importance to the OIC necessitates continued action across political, diplomatic, humanitarian, social, and economic channels, efforts that contribute to upholding Palestinian rights, protecting the Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity of Jerusalem, and countering the demographic shifts resulting from settlement expansion and land confiscation.

He indicated that the coming phase will focus on economic integration and sustainable development, alongside protecting human dignity, countering Islamophobia, and safeguarding the rights of Muslim minorities.

In this regard, Al Naqshbandi emphasized that achieving tangible and sustainable results depends on the ability of member states to translate decisions into programs that can be funded, implemented, and measured. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional coordination and developing international partnerships, which would enhance the OIC's effectiveness and help it realize its goals in the areas of peace, development, and joint Islamic action.

For his part, Iraq's Minister of Trade Dr. Mustafa Nizar Al Ani addressed the ways to translate the outcomes of this session into economic partnerships and joint investments. He emphasized that Iraq’s success in hosting the event and the adoption of the declaration serve as an important starting point for advancing joint economic cooperation among member states, especially given that the session, in addition to political matters, addressed issues related to economic, developmental, and social cooperation.

Dr. Al Ani explained to QNA that the true value of the outcomes of this session lies in the ability to translate shared understandings into practical programs and investment projects that yield tangible results.

He added that one of the proposals under consideration is the launch of an Iraqi-Islamic economic and trade forum, involving government representatives, chambers of commerce, industrial federations, and business leaders, with the aim of exploring available investment opportunities and building partnerships between Iraqi companies and their counterparts in the member states.

Dr. Al Ani stated that Iraq’s chairmanship of this session provides an opportunity to activate economic diplomacy and leverage the country’s geographical location, as well as the Development Road project, to boost trade. He further highlighted the importance of revitalizing joint committees, expanding trade and investment partnerships, and addressing obstacles to trade exchange.

Meanwhile, Iraq's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral and Legal Affairs Shorsh Khalid Said affirmed that during Iraq's chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, the country sought to foster dialogue and bridge gaps in perspectives among member states. He further noted an initiative to convene a meeting in Baghdad, bringing together relevant parties to support peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promote regional stability.

In a statement to QNA, Said said that Iraq places Islamic solidarity, the Palestinian cause, and the expansion of economic, developmental, and humanitarian cooperation at the forefront of its priorities, in line with the session’s theme "Dialogue and Solidarity: Two Essential Pillars for Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development."

He added that Iraq would work, in coordination with the OIC's General Secretariat and its member states, to follow up on the outcomes of the session and translate the Baghdad Declaration and its resolutions into practical steps. He emphasized that the effectiveness of joint Islamic action is measured by the extent to which decisions are implemented and tangible results are achieved.

Regarding the Palestinian cause, Said affirmed that it stands at the forefront of Iraq’s priorities during the chairmanship, noting that the session’s deliberations underscored its central importance, particularly concerning Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

He added that Iraq will work to unify Islamic positions and intensify diplomatic coordination to support the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This includes supporting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, contributing to reconstruction, countering settlement activity and attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem, and defending humanitarian institutions concerned with the Palestinian people.

Regarding economic affairs, Said pointed to Iraq’s efforts to encourage partnerships, develop trade and investment exchanges, and strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, infrastructure, education, and scientific research.

In an academic reading, Professor of International Relations at Al-Mustansiriya University in Iraq Dr. Saad Salloum affirmed that the success of Iraq’s chairmanship of the 52nd session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers is linked to transforming resolutions and political consensus into practical initiatives that strengthen joint Islamic action in confronting crises.

In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Salloum explained that the most prominent outcomes of the session were the reaffirmation of the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the highlighting of dialogue and solidarity as an approach to addressing crises and promoting sustainable development. He also pointed that Baghdad Declaration emphasized the rejection of displacement, settlement expansion, and annexation, as well as support for the rights of the Palestinian people and the protection of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

He added that the significance of the session will ultimately be measured by the extent to which its resolutions are implemented, which requires follow-up mechanisms that define responsibilities, priorities, and timelines, along with the issuance of periodic reports to assess progress.

Regarding Gaza and Jerusalem, Dr. Salloum called for practical measures, including ensuring a ceasefire, sustaining humanitarian assistance, supporting hospitals, and rehabilitating infrastructure in Gaza. He proposed coordinating a reconstruction fund financed by contributions from member states and establishing oversight mechanisms for the allocation of funds, in addition to protecting civilians and holding those responsible for violations accountable in accordance with international law.

Dr. Salloum stressed the importance of supporting the resilience of Palestinians in Jerusalem through the financing of housing, education, and healthcare projects, protecting their presence from displacement, preserving Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic and Christian holy sites, as well as activating diplomatic and legal efforts to confront settlement expansion and attempts to alter the city’s historical and legal status.

He also called for the establishment of a follow-up mechanism based on measurable indicators, including the volume of aid reaching Gaza, the number of projects implemented in Jerusalem, and the amount of funding disbursed, along with the publication of periodic reports to assess the impact of commitments on humanitarian and development conditions.

For his part, Iraqi researcher and media specialist in international relations Dr. Abbas Abboud Salem affirmed that the success of Iraq’s chairmanship of this session is linked to its ability to achieve balance in its regional relations and develop realistic diplomatic initiatives that promote dialogue among Islamic countries, reduce tensions, and translate the principles of solidarity and cooperation into practical steps.

He added that the chairmanship of the OIC provides Iraq with an opportunity to strengthen its regional and international presence. At the same time, making use of this opportunity requires a balanced policy toward the various parties and maintaining channels of communication with them and thereby enhancing its credibility and its ability to bring viewpoints closer together, particularly in light of the multiplicity of conflicts and the overlap of political, security, and economic considerations.

Dr. Abbas added that the nature of regional conflicts necessitates the establishment of joint mechanisms to contain disputes and prevent their escalation. He noted that Iraq can leverage its geographical position and political relations, in cooperation with the OIC, to facilitate dialogue and build confidence through specific initiatives with clear, achievable, and measurable objectives.

Regarding the strengthening of Islamic solidarity, he emphasized the importance of building a shared geopolitical space that brings together Arab and Islamic countries and is based on mutual interests, economic cooperation, and political and security coordination. Such a framework, he said, would open prospects for cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, energy, security, and development, while contributing to the reduction of tensions and the promotion of stability. He stressed that regional alliances and understandings should be founded on balance and openness and should not lead to new polarizations or deepen existing divisions.

For her part, economic expert Maissoun Hussein affirmed that Iraq’s assumption of the chairmanship of this session provides an opportunity to strengthen its international economic presence and expand its trade and investment partnerships with member states in a manner that supports development and the diversification of the Iraqi economy.

Hussein told QNA in a statement that Iraq can utilize its chairmanship of the OIC Council to showcase its investment opportunities and attract capital from Islamic countries, particularly in the infrastructure, energy, industry, and transport sectors, noting that this requires a stable investment environment and legal and administrative facilitations that safeguard investors’ interests.

She explained that energy, manufacturing industries, agriculture, food security, transport, and logistics are among the most prominent areas of partnership between Iraq and Islamic countries, given Iraq’s natural resources and strategic location, as well as the financial capabilities and technological expertise possessed by member states.

She noted that enhancing intra-Islamic trade, coordinating economic policies, and developing joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, and food security support economic integration, while the capabilities of member states provide a foundation for building more effective partnerships.

The Baghdad Declaration constitutes an important milestone in strengthening joint Islamic action and consolidating consensus among member states regarding the issues and challenges facing the Islamic world. The significance of the next phase lies in translating the positions and understandings contained in the declaration into practical steps and implementable programs, thereby enhancing the role of the OIC in supporting the Palestinian cause, promoting security and stability, and advancing development and solidarity among the people of its member states. (QNA)