The 5th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member States was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 20-21 October 2014 under the theme of “The Role of Women in Sustainable Development” with the participation of:

- Esteemed Ministers from OIC Member States;
- Representatives of relevant ministries and national institutions;
- Representatives from the OIC General Secretariat;
- Representatives from the OIC Institutions (IDB Group, SESRIC, IIFA, ISESCO, IPHRC, IRCICA);
- Representatives from the international organisations (UNDP-Turkey, UNFPA, UN Women).

The Delegates at the Conference discussed the following agenda items during the working sessions:

1. Women empowerment; eradication of poverty, achievement of sustainable development and promotion of adequate resources and support for achieving gender equality.
2. Raising women’s participation in decision making mechanisms.
3. Providing equal opportunities for women in society including access to quality education, health care and enhanced participation.
4. Elimination of all forms of discrimination including combating violence against women.
5. Developing indicators and action oriented studies.
6. Discussion and adoption of the Conference Report and Baku Declaration.

At the outset, SESRIC was represented by Dr. Cem Tintin, Researcher at the Centre. Dr. Tintin made a presentation on the state of women in OIC member countries. The presentation concentrated on a set of selected socio-economic indicators that affects the gender equality and the status of women in the OIC member countries.

After all working sessions and discussions, the Conference endorsed the Baku Declaration that will take place its final shape after receiving further feedback from the OIC member countries. 

At the end of the Conference, Republic of Turkey’s willingness to host the 6th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member States, which is scheduled to take place in 2016, was welcomed and adopted by the participants.