OIC Chief Opens Climate Resilience Session in Jeddah

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed opened a high-level event on 13 November 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, under the theme “Solidarity for Climate Resilience: Opportunities and Challenges,” held on the sidelines of the Climate Summit. The session was organized by the OIC in cooperation with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS). The event convened representatives from OIC member states to address the escalating climate crisis and its impact on food security, water resources, public health, and livelihoods. But why does this gathering in Jeddah matter for the wider world?

The high-level session reflects the OIC’s growing role in global climate diplomacy and underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in uniting Islamic nations around shared environmental challenges. The Secretary-General’s opening remarks set the tone for a day of discussions focused on practical cooperation and long-term resilience, emphasizing that solidarity is not merely a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. With climate change increasingly recognized as a development challenge that threatens the stability of vulnerable regions, the event highlighted the need for international solidarity and long-term investments that go beyond emergency responses. How can nations work together to build a more resilient future for all?

Context and Background

Why is the OIC focusing on climate resilience now? The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, representing 57 member states across four continents, has long been a platform for collective action on issues ranging from economic development to cultural preservation. In recent years, climate change has emerged as a central concern, particularly as its effects—rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events—disproportionately impact developing countries. The Secretary-General emphasized that developing countries, particularly least developed countries and small island states, bear the greatest burden despite contributing relatively little to global emissions. This imbalance has fueled calls for climate justice and increased support for adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The event built on the outcomes of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Baghdad in October 2026, where OIC member states reaffirmed their commitment to addressing climate challenges through a unified approach. The Council’s resolutions provided a roadmap for the OIC’s four interconnected priorities: strengthening food security, improving water management, enhancing climate adaptation, and facilitating access to climate finance and technology. These priorities are not abstract goals; they are concrete responses to the pressing needs of OIC member states, where approximately 263 million people suffer from malnutrition and per capita renewable water resources are less than half the global average. What does this mean for the daily lives of people in these countries?

Key Details

The Secretary-General outlined four interconnected OIC priorities for addressing climate challenges. The first priority focuses on strengthening food security, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and reducing food loss. With 263 million people in OIC member states suffering from malnutrition, the OIC is prioritizing agricultural innovation and sustainable practices to boost productivity and resilience. This includes supporting farmers with drought-resistant crops, improving irrigation systems, and reducing post-harvest losses through better storage and distribution networks. The second priority involves improving water management and availability, strengthening drought forecasting systems, and enhancing data sharing. Given that per capita renewable water resources in OIC member states are less than half the global average, efficient water use and regional cooperation are critical. The OIC is promoting integrated water resource management, investing in desalination and wastewater treatment, and fostering data-sharing platforms to help member states anticipate and respond to droughts.

The third priority focuses on climate adaptation, environmental protection, combating desertification, and strengthening scientific and institutional cooperation through the OIC’s specialized institutions. This includes restoring degraded lands, protecting biodiversity, and building resilience in vulnerable communities. The fourth priority aims to facilitate developing countries’ access to climate finance mechanisms and technology, while ensuring adequate and predictable financial resources to implement national adaptation plans. The Secretary-General stressed that without sufficient funding, even the best-laid plans will remain on paper. He called on international financial institutions and developed countries to honor their commitments and scale up support for climate-vulnerable nations. How can these priorities translate into tangible improvements on the ground?

International and Regional Impact

The OIC’s high-level session on climate resilience carries significant implications for international and regional climate action. By bringing together member states, specialized institutions, and international partners, the event reinforces the OIC’s role as a bridge between the Global South and the global climate agenda. The Secretary-General’s emphasis on solidarity resonates with the broader call for multilateralism and equitable burden-sharing in climate negotiations. For OIC member states, many of which are on the frontlines of climate change, this unified stance strengthens their collective voice in forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings.

Regionally, the event underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its growing leadership in climate diplomacy. As the host of the Climate Summit sidelines event in Jeddah, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a convenor and catalyst for action. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its carbon footprint under Vision 2030. The OIC’s focus on food security and water management is particularly relevant to the Middle East and North Africa, where water scarcity and desertification are acute challenges. By fostering cooperation among member states, the OIC aims to create scalable solutions that can be replicated across regions. What lessons can other regions draw from this collaborative approach?

Economic and Strategic Significance

The economic and strategic significance of the OIC’s climate resilience agenda cannot be overstated. Climate change poses a direct threat to economic development, with vulnerable countries facing reduced agricultural output, damaged infrastructure, and increased health costs. For OIC member states, many of which rely on agriculture and natural resources, building resilience is essential for sustainable growth. The Secretary-General’s call for long-term investments that go beyond emergency responses reflects a recognition that climate adaptation is not just a humanitarian necessity but an economic imperative. By promoting climate-smart agriculture and water efficiency, the OIC is helping member states safeguard their economies and create new opportunities in green technologies and sustainable practices.

Moreover, the focus on climate finance and technology transfer opens avenues for international cooperation and investment. The OIC is advocating for predictable financial resources to implement national adaptation plans, which can attract private sector investment and foster public-private partnerships. For Saudi Arabia, this aligns with Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and environmental sustainability. The Kingdom has already made significant strides in renewable energy, with large-scale solar and wind projects, and is investing in green hydrogen and circular carbon economy technologies. By supporting OIC initiatives, Saudi Arabia can share its expertise and resources while strengthening its role as a global energy and climate leader. How will these investments shape the future of the Islamic world?

Vision 2030 Alignment

The OIC’s high-level session on climate resilience is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to build a diversified, sustainable, and globally engaged economy. Vision 2030 emphasizes environmental sustainability, with initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative aiming to plant billions of trees, reduce carbon emissions, and protect biodiversity. The Kingdom’s commitment to climate action is also reflected in its hosting of major international events and its participation in global climate agreements. By supporting the OIC’s climate resilience agenda, Saudi Arabia is advancing its own vision while contributing to the well-being of the wider Islamic world.

Looking ahead, the outcomes of this high-level session will inform the OIC’s strategies and actions in the coming years. The Secretary-General’s four priorities provide a clear framework for collective action, from food security to climate finance. As member states work to implement these priorities, the OIC will continue to serve as a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity. In a world where climate change knows no borders, the OIC’s efforts exemplify the power of unity in addressing shared challenges. Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, remains committed to fostering international cooperation and ensuring a resilient, prosperous future for all. What greater legacy could there be than a planet protected for generations to come?

20 Questions

Q1. What was the theme of the OIC high-level event on climate resilience?

A1. The event was held under the theme “Solidarity for Climate Resilience: Opportunities and Challenges.” It focused on addressing climate challenges through collective action and long-term investments.

Q2. Who opened the high-level session on behalf of the OIC?

A2. Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed opened the session. He emphasized solidarity as a fundamental pillar of the collective response to climate change.

Q3. Where and when did the event take place?

A3. The event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 13, 2026, on the sidelines of the Climate Summit.

Q4. Which OIC institutions cooperated in organizing the event?

A4. The event was organized in cooperation with SESRIC, COMSTECH, ICESCO, and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS).

Q5. What are the four interconnected OIC priorities for climate action?

A5. The priorities are: strengthening food security, improving water management, enhancing climate adaptation, and facilitating access to climate finance and technology.

Q6. How many people in OIC member states suffer from malnutrition?

A6. Approximately 263 million people in OIC member states suffer from malnutrition, highlighting the urgent need for climate-smart agriculture and food security measures.

Q7. What is the state of renewable water resources in OIC member states?

A7. Per capita renewable water resources in OIC member states are less than half the global average, making water management a critical priority.

Q8. What did the Secretary-General say about developing countries’ burden?

A8. He stressed that developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island states, bear the greatest burden despite contributing relatively little to global emissions.

Q9. Which OIC meeting provided the basis for the four priorities?

A9. The priorities are based on the outcomes of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Baghdad in October 2026.

Q10. What does the first priority focus on?

A10. The first priority focuses on strengthening food security, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and reducing food loss.

Q11. What does the second priority involve?

A11. The second priority involves improving water management and availability, strengthening drought forecasting systems, and enhancing data sharing among member states.

Q12. What does the third priority aim to achieve?

A12. The third priority focuses on climate adaptation, environmental protection, combating desertification, and strengthening scientific and institutional cooperation.

Q13. What is the goal of the fourth priority?

A13. The fourth priority aims to facilitate developing countries’ access to climate finance mechanisms and technology, ensuring adequate and predictable financial resources.

Q14. Why is solidarity important in building climate resilience?

A14. Solidarity is a fundamental pillar because climate change is a development challenge that threatens food security, water resources, public health, and livelihoods across borders.

Q15. How does the OIC event align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?

A15. It aligns with Vision 2030’s environmental sustainability goals, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, promoting a diversified and sustainable economy.

Q16. What role do OIC specialized institutions play in climate action?

A16. They strengthen scientific and institutional cooperation, support research, and implement projects in areas such as agriculture, water management, and technology transfer.

Q17. What is the significance of climate finance for OIC member states?

A17. Climate finance enables developing countries to implement national adaptation plans, invest in resilient infrastructure, and transition to sustainable practices.

Q18. How does the OIC plan to reduce food loss?

A18. The OIC promotes better storage and distribution networks, climate-smart agriculture, and improved irrigation systems to reduce post-harvest losses.

Q19. What are the expected outcomes of the high-level session?

A19. The session is expected to inform OIC strategies, enhance cooperation among member states, and mobilize support for climate resilience initiatives.

Q20. How can international partners support the OIC’s climate resilience agenda?

A20. International partners can provide financial resources, share technology, and collaborate on projects that advance food security, water management, and climate adaptation.