IGO engagement
IQd encourages and informs the development of new institutional mechanisms and capacity within existing IGOs through high-level engagement and consultations, direct support, and a systematic cross-regional exchange of experience, lessons and institutional options. The focus of our work is building institutions, relevant knowledge and skills around the function and approach of quiet diplomacy. IQd also provides confidential advice and support to IGOs to address and reduce tensions in specific situations.
Organisation of the Islamic Conference
On 7-13 February 2011, IQd Senior Adviser, Professor John Packer and Legal and Political Officer, Murtaza Shaikh, were received by the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, at the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
At the highly productive consultations, they also met with officials engaged in preventive diplomacy from the Departments of Political Affairs, Palestinian Affairs and Muslim Minorities & Communities.
Among the issues discussed were the establishment of a dedicated mechanism for conflict prevention and resolution. Also discussed were cooperation and collaboration in building capacity of departments already engaged in such work.
IQd believes that the importance of developing the capacity of the second largest inter-governmental organisation to effectively address potential and recurrent conflict situations, given its trans-regional and pan-Islamic nature, is more pressing than ever, not least given rapidly unfolding events in the MENA region.
We have also worked closely with, inter alia:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Association of Caribbean States
Organization of American States
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
United Nations including UNDP, UNDPA, UNHCHR, UNITAR and UNRCCA