Pakistan to assume OIC Women Conference chairmanship

ISLAMABAD: The ministerial session of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women will be held today (Monday) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. During the session, the chairmanship of the conference will formally be transferred from Egypt to Pakistan for the next two years. The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the “Islamabad Declaration” and several important resolutions aimed at promoting women’s development and empowerment. Meanwhile, the technical sessions of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women began in Islamabad on Sunday, with participants approving the conference agenda and reviewing progress on the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women. The first day of the conference was hosted by Pakistan under the auspices of the Ministry of Human Rights, while a series of key bilateral meetings between ministers, senior officials from OIC member states and representatives of international organisations also continued. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Human Rights, participants held detailed discussions on various issues, including challenges faced by women in the Muslim world, their social, economic and political empowerment, education, healthcare, economic opportunities, financial inclusion, effective participation in decision-making, and women’s representation in technology and digital sectors. Representatives were also briefed by the chair of the 8th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women about initiatives undertaken under the OIC framework and progress achieved towards women’s empowerment since the previous conference. Reports from various organisations working for women’s development were also presented. On the sidelines of the conference, Federal Minister for Law and Justice and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar held bilateral meetings with ministers and senior officials from Iran, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria, Somalia and Yemen, as well as, representatives of the Women Development Organisation and the OIC Labour Centre. During these meetings, discussions focused on women’s rights, strengthening the family system, social protection, women’s economic and political empowerment, institutional cooperation, exchange of experiences, and promoting joint initiatives through the OIC platform. Pakistan and Türkiye also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the fields of family, social services and social protection. Delegations from various countries expressed confidence in Pakistan’s leadership as it assumes the chairmanship of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women for the next two years. They reaffirmed their commitment to continuing close cooperation with Pakistan for women’s empowerment, family welfare, social protection and the promotion of human rights. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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