4 January 2011 - The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) opened its office in the capital Kabul on 2 January.

The OIC is the second largest worldwide inter-governmental organization after the United Nations, with 57 member states spread over four continents: 55 OIC members are also member states of the United Nations. Afghanistan joined the OIC in 1969.

Ambassador Al Mohammad Moniruzzaman is the first Special Envoy of the Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for Afghanistan, and on 2 January, with Afghanistan's Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Zalmay Rassoul, he inaugurated the office. At the inauguration, the Ambassador stressed the OIC's support to the Afghan Government’s peace programmes. Minister Rassoul said that the OIC planned to hold an extraordinary summit on Afghanistan in March this year to focus on efforts to bring peace.

By Nilab Mobarez, UNAMA

Photo courtesy of Bakhtar News Agency