OIC Foreign Ministers in Baghdad: 52nd Session Takeaways

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Foreign ministers and senior envoys of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Baghdad on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). The two-day meeting, opened by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, is being held under the theme “Dialogue and Solidarity: Two Essential Pillars for Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development.” Iraq also took over the rotating chairmanship of the council from Türkiye.

The session comes at a tense moment for the Muslim world, with the Gaza ceasefire under strain, shipping disruption around the Gulf, and recent Houthi strikes on Saudi energy and aviation sites.

What is the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers?

The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental body in the world after the United Nations, with 57 member states. Its Council of Foreign Ministers meets annually and is the main forum where member governments agree on joint positions and adopt resolutions on political, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues. Summit-level meetings of heads of state are held less often, so the CFM does much of the organisation’s routine decision-making.

What was said on the opening day

In his opening address, Prime Minister al-Zaidi said the Islamic world faces mounting challenges that require closer joint action. He described the fulfilment of Palestinian rights as central to lasting regional peace, and called for protection of trade routes and smooth movement through international transport corridors. He also thanked Pakistan for its efforts to ease regional tensions.

OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed strongly condemned the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, calling them a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability, and noting the risk they pose to the Islamic holy sites. He pledged to strengthen the OIC’s role in conflict prevention and mediation, and urged members to pursue dialogue and political solutions.

Iraq’s connectivity proposal

As incoming chair, Iraq put forward an initiative to link OIC countries through energy grids, railways, transport routes and digital communications. According to Anadolu Agency, the proposal also covers digital payment systems, shared trade platforms and the integration of industrial zones. Details on funding and timelines have not yet been published.

Key facts

Event: 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
Venue and dates: Baghdad, Iraq — October 17–18, 2026
Theme: Dialogue and Solidarity for Peace and Sustainable Development
Chair: Iraq, taking over from Türkiye
Main agenda: Palestine and Gaza, regional security, trade and connectivity, cooperation among member states
Notable attendees: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; Türkiye’s Hakan Fidan and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty met on the sidelines. Pakistan was represented by its Permanent Representative to the OIC, Fawad Sher, according to Pakistani media.

Why it matters for Muslim readers in India

India is not an OIC member, but the organisation’s positions on the Haramain, Palestine and the welfare of Muslim communities are closely followed by Indian Muslims. The Secretary-General’s remarks on threats to Saudi Arabia are especially relevant for families planning Umrah or preparing for Hajj 2027, as the security of Makkah and Madinah and of air travel to the Kingdom is a top concern. Pilgrims should rely on updates from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Haj Committee of India rather than social media forwards. Our guide to Saudi Arabia’s integrated digital package for Hajj 2027 explains the official channels.

The Palestine discussion follows earlier OIC warnings on Jerusalem, which we covered in Al-Aqsa tensions and the OIC’s warning, and continuing concern over civilian needs described in the Gaza humanitarian crisis report.

What happens next

The session continues for a second day, when ministers are expected to adopt resolutions and a final communiqué. The full texts are normally published on the official OIC website. We will update readers if the final declaration includes decisions on Palestine, the security of the holy sites or Iraq’s connectivity plan.