On 29 November, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the OIC Summit Chair – took the important initiative to convene an Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, to consider the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan has strongly welcomed this initiative. Following Pakistan’s offer to host, the meeting will be held in Islamabad, on 19 December 2021. UN system, IFIs, some international and regional organizations and non-OIC members are among other invitees. The backdrop of this meeting is the serious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. According to UN estimates, 60% of Afghanistan’s 38 million people face “crisis levels of hunger” and that situation is getting worse every day. World Food Programme has warned that 3.2 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition. According to UNHCR, 665,000 people have been newly displaced within Afghanistan between January and September 2021 – in addition to the 2.9 million people already internally displaced in that country. The advent of winter has further exacerbated the situation. If left unattended, the situation could aggravate into a major humanitarian crisis.
Afghanistan is a founding member of the OIC. As part of the Islamic Ummah, we are bound by fraternal bonds of amity and brotherhood with the people of Afghanistan. Over the years, the OIC has extended consistent support to the people of Afghanistan. Today, more than ever before, the Afghan people need the support of the international community including the OIC.
On its part, Pakistan has been engaged in intense diplomatic outreach, illustrated by the Prime Minister’s contacts with world leaders, Foreign Minister Qureshi’s numerous bilateral interactions, and visit 4 neighbouring countries of Afghanistan (Iran, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan), the establishment of the 6 neighbouring countries platform at Pakistan’s initiative, participation in the Moscow format meetings, hosting of Troika Plus meeting and other visits/engagements.
The international community is concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s international partners also want to help. As the collective voice of the Islamic Ummah, the OIC can and must play its part in addressing the humanitarian needs of our Afghan brethren. OIC’s leadership would also help galvanize other international actors to come forward and extend a helping hand to the Afghan people. If a humanitarian crisis is averted and economic stability is assured, peace in the country can be consolidated. This will also have a regional peace dividend. Continued engagement of the international community with Afghanistan is, therefore, imperative.
Against this backdrop, the Extraordinary Session would provide an opportunity to consider practical arrangements and concrete steps to help address the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. We expect and hope that in addition to expressing solidarity, the OIC member states and the rest of the international community present will also consider making pledges of financial and in-kind support.
Source: Office of High Commission for Pakistan, Ottawa
Saturday, May 9, 2026
