ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to chair a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting today, Thursday, on ties between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), according to Security Council Report, an independent entity that closely monitors the Council’s work.

The meeting is among the signature events of Pakistan’s UNSC presidency this month and falls under the broader agenda of UN cooperation with regional and subregional entities.

A presidential statement, initiated by Pakistan, is expected to be adopted unanimously during the session.

“The agreed text of the draft presidential statement notes the interest of utilising the existing and potential capabilities of the OIC, including through encouraging its member countries to resolve differences peacefully through dialogue, reconciliation, consultation, negotiation, good offices, mediation, and judicial settlement of disputes,” Security Council Report said.

“Among other issues, it recognizes the importance of OIC interaction with the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in support of nationally owned peacebuilding efforts and commends OIC member states for their commitment to international peacekeeping and peacebuilding, including through the contribution of troops to UN peacekeeping operations,” it added.

Founded in 1969, OIC includes 57 member states across four continents and serves as a platform for collaboration on political, economic and social issues affecting Muslim communities.

Presidential statements are formal expressions of the Council’s consensus but are not legally binding. They require unanimous approval and are often preceded by complex negotiations.

In a concept note circulated earlier this month, Pakistan said the meeting aimed to take stock of UN-OIC collaboration and identify ways to deepen cooperation on peacekeeping, conflict prevention, counter-terrorism and institutional dialogue.

The note also posed questions about how the UN could help enhance the OIC’s conflict resolution capacity and better align institutional efforts on global peace and security.