Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha on Sunday extended his congratulations to the young men and women in the OIC member states on the occa-sion of OIC Youth Day.
OIC Youth Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 3 in accordance with a resolution passed during the 44th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in 2017.
The day aims to recognize the contributions of youth to development in OIC member states and raise awareness about the challenges they face. It also seeks to promote greater youth participation in decision-making, implementation and evaluation to address challenges within OIC member states.
Taha praised the member states for their efforts and the initiatives launched by relevant institutions to support youth empowerment.
He said that the OIC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports in Saudi Arabia, has chosen the slogan for the OIC Youth Day for 2023 to be “Youth Volunteerism and Social Responsibility.”
Taha called on member states, organizations and institutions to support and promote volunteer work among young people. He added that volunteerism sends a societal message by enhancing participation, building capacities and skills, fostering social solidarity, and showcasing the dedication and sacrifice of society’s members.
The Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers, chaired by Saudi Arabia in September 2022, urged OIC member states to prioritize youth volunteering for skill-building and employment opportunities.
Taha called for concerted efforts to implement the OIC resolutions on youth empowerment and activate the OIC Youth Strategy to achieve the organization’s goals in the field.—APP
