JEDDAH: The Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has announced the establishment of a specialized Peace, Security and Mediation Unit (PSMU) at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah.
In a statement issued here last night, OIC said that the move was "in accordance with the decision taken by the 39th Council of Foreign Ministers in Djibouti in November 2012."
It is hoped that the PSMU would strengthen OIC's role in mediation and quiet diplomacy as tools in conflict prevention and resolution, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said.
It would seek to support the intensification of the use of Good Offices of the Secretary General, Special Representatives and enhance cooperation with other regional and international organizations.
The PSMU initially will focus on its capacity building, after which it is expected to function principally through monitoring current and potential crisis situations and undertake timely diplomatic response.
This would be coupled with identifying and analyzing major root causes of conflicts and determining ways and means to address them.
The PSMU would also seek to interact with the OIC Member States and other international and regional organizations to share experiences in mediation and conflict resolution. (QNA)
