THE FIRST COORDINATOR

PAKISTAN APPOINTED AS THE FIRST COORDINATOR OF THE ISLAMIC NATIONS ON THE ISSUES OF PEACE AND SECURITY AT THE UN

Press Release, Islamabad 20 December, 2002

The OIC has appointed Pakistan as the First Coordinator of the Islamic Nations on the issues of peace and security at the United Nations in New York in a meeting of the Ambassadors of the Organization of the Islamic Conference held in New York on 18 December 2002.

The decision of the OIC is in pursuance of the resolution adopted by the Islamic Conference of the Foreign Ministers held in Khartoum in June 2002 to achieve greater and regular coordination among the Islamic Group at the United Nations in New York and Geneva on the issues of the concern to the Islamic Ummah. This is the first time that the OIC has established such a mechanism at the United Nations.

Pakistan’s appointment as the Coordinator on issues of peace and security in the United Nations is gratifying, and is reflective of the confidence reposed in Pakistan by the Islamic Group, based on their faith in Pakistan’s traditional dedication to the causes of the Ummah and unwavering commitment to safeguard its interests.