By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Barely seventy-four (74) days to the end of the year 2022, coupled with a series of incomplete projects plus no exact date fix for the much anticipated OIC Summit of President and Head of States to be held in The Gambia this year, the nation’s chance of hosting this biennial summit is seemingly sliding into the mud taking into consideration the publication of the calendar of events of the global Islamic Organization.
In its latest publication of the calendar of events, the OIC Secretariat based in Saudi Arabia has not included The Gambia nor does it specifically mention when the summit will be hosted in the country.
Among the series of events OIC is to host from October to December 2022, includes the 12th session of The Islamic Conference of Information Ministers to be held in Istanbul, Turkey on 21 – 22 October 2022, as the 4th Meeting of the open-ended intergovernmental experts’ group for the comprehensive review of the statute of OIC staff OIC HQ Administration and Finance to be held on 25 – 27 October 2022.
. On 30 – 31 October 2022, the organisation will hold the Meeting of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts to consider and discuss draft Rules Governing the Establishment, Status, and Functions of the OIC Overseas Missions and the Explanatory Note, prepared by the General Secretariat on the Subject OIC HQ Legal Affairs From 30 – 12 November 2022, will be the Meeting of the Finance Control Organ OIC HQ Administration and Finance.
In November, the following OIC meeting to be held includes: 1-2 November 2022, OIC will hold Meeting of The intergovernmental Experts group to study the implementation of the OIC rules for official missions of the GS staff OIC HQ, 8 – 9 November 2022 Fourth Meeting of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on the Review of Rules Governing the Competence and Functions of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the OIC and its Modes of Operation OIC HQ Legal Affairs; 22 – 24 November 2022 Meeting of the Intergovernmental Experts group to considers the draft document of the mid-term review of the OIC-2025 Program of Action OIC HQ; 28 November 2022 Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to consider mechanisms and standards of the OIC award OIC HQ Legal Affairs; 29 – 30 November 2022 Second meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts meeting to discuss the OIC draft Convention on the Rights of the Child in Islam OIC HQ Directorate of Cultural, Social and Family Affairs 2022 8th session of the Islamic Conference of Health Ministers Maldives, date yet to be announced. 2022 5th session of the Islamic Conference of Ministers responsible for Water KSA, date unannounced.
TBD Second Meeting of Committee of Permanent Representatives on the Study prepared by the Institute of Public Administration on Internal workflows, procedures, and infrastructure in OIC General Secretariat OIC HQ Legal Affairs TBD Meeting of permanent representatives committee to form a steering committee to study member states’ progress reports on the implementation of OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW) OIC HQ Directorate of Cultural, Social and Family Affairs TBD Meeting of permanent representatives committee to establish OIC platform to preserve and protect cultural heritage in OIC member states OIC HQ Directorate of Cultural, Social and Family Affairs Postponed TBD Meeting of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts to discuss the draft policy of Gender Equality in OIC Member states OIC HQ Directorate of Cultural, Social and Family Affairs.
However, even though the public confidence in the chances of the country hosting the Presidents and Head of States Summit is fast dwindling, OIC-Gambia Secretariat has been persistent and adamant about hosting 2022, Summit which is expected to attract more than sixty Heads of State, and Presidents into the country thus immensely contributing to the socio-economic development of the country through the provision of Infrastructures and energy supply.