The First Coordination Committee Meeting on the implementation of the “Framework for Development and Cooperation in the Domain of Tourism between the OIC Member States” was held in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, on 18-19 March 2009. The Meeting was attended by the following Members of the Coordination Committee: Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Cameroon, Arab Republic of Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Republic of Senegal, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Tunisia and Republic of Turkey.

The Meeting was also attended by the representatives of the OIC General Secretariat and the following OIC institutions: Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Organization of the Islamic Ship-owners Association (OISA). Mr. Nabil Dabour, Acting Director of Research Department represented SESRIC at the Meeting.

The aim of the Meeting was to develop a Short Term Plan and Program for the implementation of the “Framework for Development and Cooperation in the Domain of Tourism between the OIC Member States”, which has been adopted by the 6th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM) held in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, in July 2008. The Committee reviewed and discussed the proposals for the implementation of the Framework submitted by the OIC General Secretariat, SESRIC, IRCICA, ICDT, ISESCO and ICCI. In this context, the Committee decided to follow the proposal of the Short Term Plan and Program which were presented by the OIC General Secretariat and the SESRIC.

The Committee also discussed the performance mechanism and evaluation for the implementation of the Framework document. It was agreed that the General Secretariat of the OIC is entrusted with the task of implementing the Framework. The IDB is expected to contribute to financing the proposed activities and projects of the Short Term Plan and Program. The Coordination Committee will assess the implementation of the Short Term Plan and Program and submit an interim Progress Report to the next ICTM.

The Meeting finally adopted the Short Term Plan and Program for the effective implementation of the Framework and agreed to hold the Second Coordination Committee Meeting in the beginning of the 2010 (before the 7th Session of the ICTM). After the consultation with the members of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee and the OIC General Secretariat will determine the date and venue of the Second Coordination Committee Meeting.

Final Report
Short Term Plan and Program
List of Participants