ISTANBUL: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah is pictured with Muslim countries’ foreign ministers ahead of a preparatory meeting for the 13th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference. — KUNA

KUWAIT/ISTANBUL: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation leave today for Turkey to head Kuwait's delegation participating in the 13th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference.

Muslim countries' foreign ministers yesterday started a preparatory meeting for the conference to be held in Istanbul tomorrow. In his opening speech at the event, Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs and International Security Hisham Badr said he was pleased with the completion of the OIC-2025 Program of Action, established by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to develop joint-Islamic labor in different fields for the next ten years.

Since Egypt's chairing of the last session of the conference, the threat of terrorism has grown in the Muslim World, he noted. The official also mentioned Egypt's efforts to counter religious extremism and fight terrorist groups in cooperation with other Islamic states.

Meanwhile, he called on Muslim governments to take strict measures against those encouraging terrorism through the internet and media. Moreover, Badr added that Egypt has been exerting efforts, in coordination with OIC members, to attract further international support for Palestine against the violations of Israeli settlement policies.

Rising tension

OIC's Secretary General Iyad Madani noted meanwhile that the Islamic world is currently facing rising tension and clashes caused by religious extremism. The official hoped the OIC would fully execute the 2025 program to resolve such issues.

In the same context, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, whose country is chairing the current session, said this year's conference is themed "Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace", since the world is lacking security and peace in the light of the growing conflict everywhere. The Turkish foreign minister also called for achieving a political transition in Syria to end the suffering of those affected by the ongoing war in the country and also in neighboring countries. - KUNA