A SESRIC delegation, led by H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, participated in the 47^th Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic and Social Affairs (ICECS) held on 15-17 April 2025 at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah. The 47^th Session of the ICECS was attended by the delegates from the OIC countries and representatives of the relevant OIC institutions, working in the domains of economy, education, health, science and technology, culture, social, family and youth affairs.

At the Opening Session, H.E. Hissein Brahim TAHA, Secretary-General of the OIC, emphasized that the success of the Organization’s upcoming activities depends on the guidance of this meeting. He highlighted the progress made since the 50^th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in August 2024, particularly in economic cooperation, with intra-OIC trade rising to over 20% and 30 member countries achieving the 25% target. He stressed the cooperation in agriculture and food security, including a draft strategic plan to boost productivity and rural development.  H.E. TAHA also underlined ongoing initiatives in science and technology—such as the development of an OIC AI Vision—and in health, with a focus on disease prevention and vaccine production.

During the session, H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK presented a comprehensive overview of SESRIC’s implemented programmes and activities in its three mandated areas of Statistics and Information, Socio-Economic Research and Training and Technical Cooperation since the 46^th Session of ICECS.

SESRIC continues to make serious efforts towards ensuring the availability of necessary statistical data and information on OIC countries to better inform them of each other’s potentials and needs. The Centre has conducted 37 capacity-building activities under the StatCaB programme, and coordinated high-level statistical meetings, including the 13^th Session of the OIC-StatCom.

In Socio-Economic Research, the Centre prepared several technical background reports on economic outlook, health, tourism, transportation, women, water and youth, and finalized a brief study on corruption and tourism along with two outlook reports focusing on mother and child health and food security in OIC countries in Africa, in line with the OIC-Africa Programme. The Centre is also preparing a comprehensive research study on Palestine highlighting the humanitarian crisis and socio-economic challenges in the wake of Israeli occupation and aggression.

In Training and Technical Cooperation, 43 activities were organized across diverse fields through 23 CaB programmes, in addition to OIC-VET and COMCEC-funded projects, five cooperation portals, and four newly launched OIC Networks.

During the three days, the 47^th Session of ICECS examined the Draft Resolutions on Economic; Science and Technology, Education and Health, and Environment; Cultural, Social, Family and Youth Affairs, and made amendments and additions to them. The Commission also agreed to submit the Draft Resolutions to the 51^st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers for consideration, which will be held in June 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

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