The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is an inter-governmental organization with a Permanent Delegation to the United Nations. It groups 57 mostly Islamic nations in the Middle East, North and West Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, (with the exceptions of Albania, Guyana, and Surinam). The OIC is dedicated to serving the interests of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims.
The primary goals of the OIC are, according to itself, "to promote solidarity among all member states; to consolidate cooperation among member states in economic, social, cultural, scientific, and other fields of activity; to endeavor to eliminate racial segregation and discrimination and to oppose colonialism in all its forms; to support the Palestinian people in their struggle to regain their national rights and to return to their homeland; and, to support all Muslim people in their struggle to safeguard their dignity, independence and national rights"
The Islamic Summit Conference
The highest policy-making organ, attended by the Kings and the Heads of State and Government of the member states, convened every three years.
The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers
It meets once a year to examine a progress report on the implementation of its decisions taken within the framework of the policy defined by the Islamic Summit.
The Permanent Secretariat
It is the executive organ of the Organization, entrusted with the implementation of the decisions of the two preceding bodies, and is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Current secretary is Abdelouahed Belkeziz , from Morocco, in office since January 1, 2001. His term ends on December 312004; he will be replaced by Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu , from Turkey, from January 12005.
