PABSEC’s Participation in the 16th PUIC Conference “Sharing, Conscience and Islam: Palestine, Migration and Afghanistan”, Istanbul, 9 – 10 December 2021
The PABSEC delegation, composed of Mr. Cemal Öztürk, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of the PABSEC Turkish delegation, and Mr. Fuat Kuçukaydin, PABSEC Deputy Secretary General, participated in the 16th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), which was held in Istanbul, on 9-10 December 2021 upon the invitation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
The Conference was attended by the representatives of parliamentary delegations of OIC Member States. H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Mustafa Şentop, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mr. Mouhamed Khouraichi Niass, PUIC Secretary General addressed the Opening Session.
Speaking at the opening session the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined that defending Jerusalem (al-Quds) means defending humanity. He also touched upon the recent crisis in Afghanistan and said that it is our common wish for Afghanistan to achieve lasting peace and stability.
The main subject of the Conference was “Sharing, Conscience and Islam: Palestine, Migration and Afghanistan”. The participants took note of the Report of the PUIC Secretary General. The speeches were made by the Speakers, Vice-Speakers, Heads of delegations, Observers. The Conference also exchanged views about the organizational matters of PUIC General and Executive Committees.
In his speech, Mr. Cemal Ozturk, underlined that over the years the PUIC has proved itself as an effective organization for providing a framework for comprehensive and fruitful cooperation among the parliaments of the OIC members. He noted that in world politics, the Black Sea Region plays an important role, as a bridge between Asia and Europe, situated at the crossroads of major transportation and energy routes, representing an outstanding source of oil and gas for the world markets. Mr. Ozturk stated that, in the context of increasing global threats and security challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, the expenses arising from the refugee crisis are more than 500 billion dollars and that Turkey is hosting about 4 million refugees. He also underlined the importance of an initiative of the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan, based on the 3+3 cooperation formula, which major goal will be solving the existing problems in the region and the establishment of peace and stability, thus creating opportunities for trade, investments, and smooth economic development.
At the end of the Session, the Istanbul Declaration was adopted.
The Session was concluded with closing remarks by H. E. Mr. Mustafa Şentop, Speaker of the GNAT.