Geneva, 22 July 2026 — Senior representatives from the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened today in Geneva for the 17th General Cooperation Meeting between the two organizations and their specialized bodies.
Held every two years, the meeting brings together high-level representatives from nearly 50 UN and OIC agencies, funds and programmes to strengthen cooperation across a broad range of shared priorities.
The meeting is co-chaired by Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Economic Affairs of the OIC, and Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Asia and the Pacific in the United Nations Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO).
Opening the meeting, ASG Khiari underscored the importance of the strong partnership between the UN and the OIC, highlighting decades of collaboration in conflict prevention and diplomacy, countering violent extremism, promoting the rights of women, addressing climate change, strengthening food security, delivering humanitarian assistance and combating Islamophobia and all forms of intolerance.
ASG Khiari emphasized that cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations has become increasingly important in addressing today's global challenges. "Our cooperation and joint action are a force multiplier, enabling each of our Organizations to do more together than either could do alone," he said.
The General Cooperation Meeting, taking place from 22 to 24 July at the United Nations Office at Geneva, provides a platform for the United Nations and the OIC to review progress, identify new areas of cooperation and strengthen their strategic partnership in support of international peace and security.
