The 40th session of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation Committee (COMCEC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has begun in Istanbul, Turkey, with the participation of more than 50 representatives of OIC member states, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and Pakistan. This meeting serves as an important platform for promoting economic cooperation and integration among Islamic countries.
Since its establishment in 1984, COMCEC has aimed to promote economic relations and trade development among the OIC member states and to advance joint economic projects to improve the standard of living throughout the Islamic world.
Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, led the inaugural session, focusing on key issues such as poverty reduction, digital transformation, and financial cooperation. Erdogan highlighted the potential impact of unified efforts among OIC nations to elevate quality of life for their citizens.
Prominent leaders, including OIC Secretary General Husayn Ibrahim Tokhi and President of the Islamic Development Bank Mohammad Al-Jaser, emphasized the importance of collective action for sustainable economic growth and financing of development initiatives. The President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, Abdulla Salih Kamel, stressed the importance of trade and investment partnerships in ensuring economic stability.
In a panel discussion, Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, presented Uzbekistan's progress in digital infrastructure and transformation, underscoring the country's progress in building a digital economy and the value of international partnerships. He extended an invitation to the upcoming UN Public Service Forum 2025 to be held in Samarkand.
Uzbekistan’s achievements in digital transformation were highly commended, underscoring the country’s influential role in advancing digital development in the region.