The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, brings together 57 member countries inhabited by almost 1.5 billion people and spread over four continents in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. As the second largest international organization after the United Nations, the OIC, since its establishment in 1969, has been following up a varied and ever-expanding agenda covering, besides political affairs, cultural, social, economic, technical and scientific issues of concerns to its member countries. With a distinct emphasis on the promotion of joint action and enhancement of cooperation amongst its member countries, the OIC aims at securing sustainable development and high welfare levels in the member countries through efficient utilization of their collective natural and human resources.

The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) is a subsidiary organ of the OIC operating in Ankara, Turkey since June 1978 as the main economic research arm, statistics centre and training organ of the OIC. It has been engaged in statistical data collection, collation and dissemination on and for the member countries, undertaking the preparation of research papers, reports and studies on economic cooperation and development issues contained on the agenda of various OIC ministerial and other forums. SESRIC also gives great importance to the enhancement of human resources and in this context organizes training programs on subjects of immediate interest to the member countries in collaboration with the international organizations.