Saudi Arabia donates US $ 2.5 million for organization of OIC meeting in Niamey
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saturday decided to provide US $ 2.5 million (or 1.375 billion CFA francs) toward the organization of the 47th Session of the Committee of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled for Niamey from 27-28 November, 2020, the Nigerien Press Agency (ANP) reported here.
According to the ANP, the cheque was handed over this Saturday to the Nigerien minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad, Kalla Ankourao, by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Niger, Oumar Zakaria.
According to the Saudi diplomat, it is in response to Niger's request that the government of his country decided to contribute toward the successful organization of this important OIC meeting.
The Nigerien minister of Foreign Affairs thanked Saudi Arabia "for this gesture which is so important for us", before recalling that the Conference was originally scheduled to be held in April 2020, before being postponed because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"It is because we want the entire Islamic Ummah to meet in Niamey for this meeting intended to examine all international issues and issues of the Islamic community that we postponed it,” explained the head of Nigerien diplomacy.
He urged the chargé d'affaires to "convey to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia all the thanks of the Nigerien people and government".
The OIC has 57 member-countries, including Niger. It is the most important world organization after the UN, and maintains relations with around 30 international organizations.
-0- PANA SA/ IS/KND/RA 24Oct2020
