Yaounde, 29 August 2024
# 50TH SESSION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC) COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
Theme: "Development of Intra-OIC Transport and Communication Infrastructure: Major Instrument in the Fight against Poverty and Insecurity"
# OPENING SPEECH BY H.E. PAUL BIYA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Read by the Prime Minister, Head of Government
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- Your Excellencies, Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
- The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,
- Distinguished Heads of Delegation,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamalekoum!
Allow me to, first of all, implore the grace of the Almighty and Merciful Lord upon each and every one of you, and to wish you all a warm welcome to Yaounde, capital of the Republic of Cameroon. May you have a most pleasant stay in our country.
Cameroon is honoured to host the 50th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, the very first to be held in the Central African Region.
I am pleased to point out that this diplomatic meeting coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of Cameroon's accession to the OIC. This happy coincidence thus affords us the opportunity to commemorate fifty years of intense, multifaceted and fruitful cooperation with our common Organization and, indirectly, with each of the member countries represented here.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Cameroon is hosting the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers at a time when the world is facing major challenges.
These challenges include the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip and, more globally, in Palestine. Thousands of Palestinian and Israeli civilians are being killed and the humanitarian situation is catastrophic. It is necessary to find an equitable and final solution to this complex problem in order to avert a regionalization of the conflict, with more tragic consequences.
Cameroon has always stood for a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders.
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The international community has admittedly made a significant contribution towards achieving this objective. However, peace will be restored only if the various conflicting parties engage in a frank and sincere dialogue. Such is the condition for achieving peace and security much desired by all.
True to its policy, Cameroon supports any initiative based on dialogue and consultation, the only path towards a lasting and final solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Other challenges are facing the space of OIC countries and beyond. I would like to mention just a few, namely climate change, intra- and inter-state conflicts, economic and social crises, scarce strategic resources and poor development.
Our common Organization must urgently and efficiently address these challenges. To this end, we should be more creative while putting aside our differences. We will achieve lasting solutions through more active cooperation based on sincere solidarity among us