JEDDAH, 17 June 2005 — The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has appealed to donor countries and international financial institutions to extend further support to regional networks in the OIC member states hit by desertification and drought.
“The OIC countries affected by desertification and drought cannot bear by themselves the growing burden of anti-drought and desertification programs and the implementation of related major projects,” Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the OIC, said.
In a statement on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought which is being observed today as part of the United Nations campaign to increase awareness about land degradation, the secretary-general commended the choice of “Women and Desertification” as the main theme of this year’s drive. He stressed the importance of the role of women in fighting desertification in the OIC countries “affected by this natural phenomenon.” He emphasized the need for more efforts to fight desertification and drought, particularly in the affected OIC member states.
He encouraged member countries to organize various events on the occasion in order to increase awareness of the adverse effects of these phenomena and to strengthen national strategies.
Ihsanoglu said the OIC was willing to increase cooperation with relevant international organizations in order to find the best solutions to desertification and drought problems in the affected OIC member countries.
