Annex 1 to OIC/COMCEC/36-20/REP
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The late Sheikh Sabah was a highly respected leader who influenced the whole region
with his common sense, wisdom and conciliatory personality.
We will always remember with gratitude the contributions Sheikh Sabah made towards
ensuring peace and prosperity in our geography.
We are people who believe that with every hardship comes convenience and with every
adversity comes relief.
We view every event we experience as the means for both a test and an lesson.
There are lessons to be learned about the future for all of us in the difficulties we face
with the Covid-19 outbreak.
First of all, this epidemic reminded us once again that all humanity shares the same
destiny and is on the same ship, regardless of religion, language and race.
The epidemic has also shown how important it is to act in a planned manner and to
strengthen our ability to cope with emergency interventions and crises by making the
necessary investments on time.
I believe that we, as member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,
should all plan our steps in the light of these facts.
In addition to the health dimension, we should mobilize our means to diminish the
epidemic’s economic impact and to ensure there is a continuation of production and
demand.
As you know, tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the epidemic.
In particular, we should strive to competition and entrepreneurship in our
tourism industry, which is also the theme of this year's session.
We need to implement measures which encourage and facilitate trade so that our
foreign trade does not suffer a heavy blow during the epidemic process.
I would like to emphasize the importance of the steps we shall take in order to increase
trade between our member countries within the scope of COMCEC.
I appreciate the efforts made for the implementation of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation Preferential Trade System.
The Trade Negotiations Committee Ministerial Meeting, which we proposed to be held
in the beginning of 2021, shall be a critical step for the system to come online.
We need to expedite the formation of the necessary boards in order for the Istanbul
Arbitration Center to complete its institutional structure.
Another matter that we as an organization should focus sensibly on is halal food.
We have been continuing our halal food standards and certification activities for quite
some time now.