3 March 2011 - The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan is today meeting with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss peace and security in Afghanistan.

Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan and head of the UN mission there (UNAMA), is among the 120 officials attending the day-long meeting. Discussions are expected to focus on political issues impacting peace efforts, including dialogue between the Government of Afghanistan and Anti-Government Elements.

A UNAMA delegation led by Deputy Special Representative Martin Kobler visited OIC's head office in December to discuss potential areas of cooperation in Afghanistan, particularly in political and humanitarian fields.

The OIC - which opened its office in Kabul on 2 January - is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN.

By UNAMA Kabul