H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. Afnan ALSHUAIBY, Executive Director of the Women Development Organization (WDO) on 5 June 2023 on the sidelines of the Second Session of the Ministerial Conference on Social Development on 5-6 June 2023 in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt.

The bilateral meeting focused on ways and means of enhancing cooperation between the two sister organisations of the OIC in the common areas of work. Mrs. SELÇUK provided an overview of SESRIC endeavours in its three areas of mandate, focusing on the importance of leveraging the efforts of SESRIC and WDO towards better addressing the challenges that face the OIC countries.

H.E. Dr. Afnan ALSHUAIBY offered her congratulations to Mrs. SELÇUK on her appointment as the new Director General of SESRIC. She underscored the readiness and willingness of WDO to further strengthen its cooperation with SESRIC, especially in the field of women's development. Furthermore, H.E. Dr. ALSHUAIBY expressed her appreciation to SESRIC for its sustained efforts in generating insightful reports, conducting comprehensive research studies, and organising impactful capacity-building programmes - all of which significantly contribute to societal betterment in the OIC countries.

The bilateral meeting concluded with a shared commitment to tackle the existing challenges that face women in the OIC countries. Both parties agreed on signing a Memorandum of Understanding and a joint plan of action to organise joint activities and projects in a systematic manner.