Istanbul, Türkiye, 21 June 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have signed a groundbreaking three-year Plan of Action that will significantly enhance cooperation on migration governance and humanitarian response across OIC Member States. The agreement was formalized on the margins of the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul.
Building on the Cooperation Agreement signed in January 2003, the Plan of Action 2025–2027 establishes a clear framework for collaboration between the two organizations through joint programming, policy dialogue, and operational cooperation. It outlines four priority areas of collaboration and concrete actions to be pursued jointly by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the International Organization for Migration at the national, regional, and global levels.
“With this plan, we move from principle to practice as we strengthen coordination between our institutions to deliver meaningful support for displaced populations, migrants, and host communities in the OIC region,” said Mr. Othman Belbeisi, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa and IOM’s Representative to the OIC, who signed the agreement on behalf of IOM.
He also expressed appreciation to Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakheet, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Social and Cultural Affairs, for his continued leadership and commitment: “I thank Ambassador Bakheet for his steadfast support and the growing partnership between our organizations, which is critical to advancing shared priorities on migration and humanitarian action.”
Ambassador Bakheet welcomed the new framework: “This Plan of Action is a reflection of our shared commitment to responding to the urgent needs of vulnerable people on the move and to finding longer-term solutions to displacement in the Muslim world.”
To ensure effective implementation, the plan involves close coordination between both organizations’ headquarters, regional, and country offices. A joint mechanism will be established to monitor progress and guide implementation through biannual meetings.
The agreement is effective immediately and will remain valid through 31 December 2027, with provisions for mutually agreed amendments.
The signing marks a significant step forward in international cooperation, reinforcing the critical role of global partnerships in shaping effective migration governance, humanitarian action, and sustainable development – central themes at this year’s OIC Conference.
For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.
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