OIC/COMCEC/36-20/REP

Moreover, H.E. ERDOĞAN also conveyed his condolences upon the important

losses of Community of Organization of Islamic Cooperation recently.

His Excellency ERDOĞAN underlined the importance of learning crucial

lessons from the pandemic by expressing that all humanity shares the same

destiny regardless of religion, language and race. Emphasizing the significance

of being planned and prepared for crisis management, His Excellency

ERDOĞAN stressed the need for acting together as the member countries of the

Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

10. H.E. ERDOĞAN drew attention to this year's theme of promoting

entrepreneurship and competitiveness for tourism industry by noting that

tourism is a sector heavily affected by the pandemic. H.E. ERDOĞAN

continued his statement by stressing the role of trade facilitation in mitigation

of negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context,

expressing his appreciation for the recent steps taken for the implementation of

Trade Preferential System (TPS-OIC), H.E. ERDOĞAN highlighted that the

Trade Negotiating Committee Meeting, which is proposed to be held in 2021,

will be an important step for the effectuation of the System. Furthermore, H.E.

ERDOĞAN stated that the OIC Arbitration Center would be operationalized

soon after the completion of its institutional structure.

11. H.E. ERDOĞAN also invited the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and

Agriculture to cooperate more closely with the Standards and Metrology

Institute of Islamic Countries in the fields of halal food standardization and

certification.

12. H.E. ERDOĞAN continued his statement by stressing the importance of

fighting against Islamophobia and xenophobia in western countries and stated

that this would only be achieved through stronger cooperation among the

Islamic Countries. H.E. ERDOĞAN also underlined that strengthening our

economic structures would also be effectual in having a louder voice in

international platform on this crucial issue as well.

13. H.E. ERDOĞAN expressed his gratitude for the convening of the COMCEC

Working Group Meetings regularly and to all member countries that took part

in these meetings. H.E. ERDOĞAN underlined the importance of the recently

initiated COMCEC COVID-19 Intervention Program for supporting the

member countries in overcoming the negative economic effects of the COVID-

19 pandemic. His Excellency ERDOĞAN also highlighted the importance of

the COMCEC Al-Quds Program for improving the socio-economic conditions

of Al-Quds as the one of the most important holy cities of the Islamic World.

14.While concluding his speech, H.E. ERDOĞAN expressed his wishes the

Session will be beneficial for the member countries and the Islamic World.

(A copy of the text of the Inaugural Statement of H.E. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN is

attached as Annex II.)