Indonesia Calls on OIC to Bridge Development Divide Among Member States

In a recent address at the 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi highlighted the pressing need for unified efforts to bridge the developmental divide among OIC member nations, as emphasized in her campaign “Indonesia Urges OIC To Narrow Development Gap Among Members.” Marsudi’s remarks, published on the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, pointed out that among the 46 countries classified as least developed, 21 are part of the OIC, underscoring a significant challenge in mitigating widespread poverty.

Marsudi emphasized the critical role of the private sector in narrowing this gap, advocating for an increase in trade agreements and investment opportunities within the OIC. She announced that Indonesia will spearhead these efforts by hosting the second Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali in September. This event aims to foster economic cooperation between the nations involved, tapping into new and potential economic synergies.

Moreover, Marsudi used her platform to champion the cause of gender equality and educational access within the OIC. She argued for the prioritization of women’s issues, specifically the enhancement of educational opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan, where gender disparities are particularly pronounced. To this end, Indonesia has been proactive, offering scholarships to Afghan women and girls and collaborating with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to refine educational curricula.

Additionally, Indonesia’s commitment to humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan includes donating 10 million doses of the polio vaccine to protect the health of Afghan children.

Marsudi’s speech called for the OIC to adopt more dynamic and inclusive strategies to address the myriad challenges faced by its members. She stressed the importance of unity and solidarity in overcoming these obstacles, not only for the benefit of nations like Palestine but also for all OIC member countries.

This call to action, central to the campaign “Indonesia Urges OIC To Narrow Development Gap Among Members,” underscores the ongoing need for strategic partnerships and a collective approach to development and humanitarian efforts within the OIC framework. It aims to create a more equitable future for all member states, emphasizing the importance of reducing disparities to enhance regional growth and stability.