The Hon. Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, led the
Malaysian delegation to the 35th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) held in Kampala, Republic of Uganda, from 18
to 20 June 2008.
H.E. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda officiated the session. The Hon. Dato’ Seri
Utama Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the plenary session where his 15 minutes
address drew full attention of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of other Member States of
the OIC. Malaysia’s proposal for the immediate establishment of an OIC Task Force on
Energy Crisis to explore how OIC could address and reverse the spiraling oil price
increases and to prepare for energy and food crisis which could turn to worst if its trend
is not curtailed. In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also touched on a host
of other issues such as the long-standing Middle East Peace Process, the Crisis in Darfur,
and on Malaysia-initiated projects, namely the development of International Halal
Standards, International Halal Integrity Alliance, International Zakat Organisation, and
science and technology projects under the Vision 1441H on science and technology.
In addition to the above, Malaysia proposed that the OIC Secretariat undertakes a
follow-up action on the outcome and recommendations of the 3rd International Conference:
Muslim and the West – Bridging the Gap; ensure Agreements, Statutes and Organs of the
OIC remain current to changing global demands; and calls on all OIC member states to renew
their interest and implement decisions, agreements and activities agreed at the OIC.
The Hon. Dato’ Seri Utama Minister of Foreign Affairs had bilateral meetings with H.E.
Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the OIC and he handed over the Instrument
of Ratification of the revised OIC Charter. Malaysia recorded as the second member state
to ratify the Charter after Senegal, the current Chair of the OIC Summit. The Minister
also held bilateral discussions on various issues of mutual interests with his
counterparts from Uganda, Senegal and Turkey.
The next Session will be held in Syria in 2009.
