Specialized

DEFINITION
These are established within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in accordance with the decisions of the Islamic Summit or Council of Foreign Ministers. Membership to these organs is optional and open to OIC Member States. Their budgets are independent of the budget of the Secretariat General and those of the subsidiary organs and are approved by their respective legislative bodies as stipulated in their Statutes.

To-date, four specialized institutions have been established and they are located in different capitals and cities in the Islamic World - they are the following:

• Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
• Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
• Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU)
• Union of News Agencies of the OIC Member States (UNA)
• Islamic Committee of the International Crescent (ICIC)
• The Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO)
• Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS)
• Women Development Organization (WDO) in OIC Member States

Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

DEFINITION
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB), a specialized institution of the OIC, is an international financing institution.  

ESTABLISHMENT
The idea of establishing this institution dates back to the 2nd Islamic Foreign Ministers Conference, held in Karachi; in 1970 which recommended to undertake an in-depth study of this project.  A Declaration of Intent was issued by the First Conference of Finance Ministers of Islamic countries, held in Jeddah, in Zul Qaddah , 1393AH (December 1973) to endorse this idea.  The Bank was formally inaugurated on 15th Shawal, 1395AH. (20 October, 1975).  

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Bank is to foster the economic development and social progress of Member States and Muslim Communities individually as well as collectively in accordance with the principles of the Shariah.  

FUNCTIONS
The functions of the Bank are to provide equity participation and grant loans for productive projects and enterprises. It also gives financial assistance to member states in other forms for their economic and social development and to foster foreign trade among member countries.  

MEMBERSHIP
The basic condition for membership is that the prospective member country be a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).  

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
The Bank is composed of:  

a) A Board of Governors
Each member state is represented in the Board and nominates a governor and an alternate governor.  
The Board meets once a year, in an ordinary session.  

b) A Board of Executive Directors
It consists of 10 members who are not members of the Board of Governors.  They are elected for a mandate of three years by the Board of Governors.  they can be re-elected.  

c) The President
He is the legal representative of the Bank and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  
He is elected by the Board of Governors for a period of five years and can be re-elected.

CAPITAL
The authorized capital of the Bank is six billion Islamic Dinars divided into 600,000 shares among subscriber.  The value of the Islamic Dinar, which is the unit of account of  the  Bank, is  equivalent  to  one Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund (SDR).  The subscribed capital of the Bank is 4 billion Islamic Dinars.  One Islamic Dinar =1.3 US Dollar.

HEADQUARTERS
The Bank's Headquarters is in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 5925 Jeddah
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966 2) 636 1400
Fax: (+966 2) 636 6871, 637 1334, 637 9080 
Telex : 601137 ISDB SJ.  
Website: www.isdb.org

Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)

DEFINITION  
ISESCO is a specialize international organization operating in the fields of Education, Science, Culture and Communication, within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

ESTABLISHMENT
The Eleventh Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers held, in Islamabad, in Rajab 1400H/May, adopted Resolution No.2/11-C, concerning the approval of the Statute of this institution following the decision of the Tenth Conference, to establish it. The decision was notified by the Third Islamic Summit held in Makkah/Taif, in 1981. ISESCO's constituent conference was held in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, in 9 - 11 Rajab 1402 H (3-5 May 1982).

OBJECTIVES

1. To strengthen, promote and consolidate cooperation among the Member States and consolidate it in the fields of education, science, culture and communication, as well as to develop and upgrade these fields, within the framework of the civilizational reference of the Islamic world and in the light of the human Islamic values and ideals.
2. To consolidate understanding among peoples inside and outside the Member States and contribute to the achievement of world peace and security through various means, particularly through education, science, culture and communication.
3. To publicize the correct image of Islam and Islamic culture, promote dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions, and work towards spreading the values of justice and peace along with the principles of freedom and human rights, in accordance with the Islamic civilizational perspective.
4. To encourage cultural interaction and to support the aspects of cultural diversity in the Member States, while preserving the cultural identity and protecting the independence of thought.
5. To consolidate complementarity and coordination among the specialized institutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication and among the Member States of ISESCO, and promote cooperation and partnership with the similar governmental and non-governmental institutions sharing the same interest, inside and outside the Member States.
6. To take further interest in Islamic culture, highlight its specificities and publicize its landmarks in intellectual studies, scientific researches and educational curricula.
7. To work for establishing complementarity and correlation among the educational systems of the Member States.
8. To support the efforts of the educational, scientific and cultural institutions for Muslims in non-Member States of ISESCO.

HEADQUARTERS
The Headquarters of ISESCO is in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.  

ADDRESS  
Avenue des F.A.R , Hay Ryad, PO Box: 2275, PC Code 10104
P.O.Box : 2275   10104
Tel: + 212 (0) 37 56 60 52 / 53
Fax: + 212 (0) 37 56 60 12 / 13
Email: isesco@isesco.org.ma
Website: www.isesco.org.ma

Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU)

ESTABLISHMENT
This OIC specialized institution -originally Islamic States Broadcasting Organization (ISBO)- was established in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the Sixth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in July 1975.  

OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the Organization are:  

1. To propagate the principles of the Islamic Da'wa, and teach the Arabic language.
2. To get Muslim peoples to know one another.
3. To explain and fight for Islamic causes.
4. To strengthen the spirit of brotherhood among the Muslim peoples.
5. To develop cooperation between the Islamic technical organisms and institutions of member states in the field of broadcasting.
6. To produce and exchange radio and television programmes for promoting the objectives of the Organization.

HEADQUARTERS
The Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU) is in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

ADDRESS
P.O. Box 6351 Jeddah 21442 - K.S.A.
Tel : (+966 12) 672 1121 / 672 2269
Fax : (+966 12) 672 2600
Email: ibu@ibuj.org
Web site: www.ibuj.org

Union of News Agencies of the OIC Member States (UNA)

Establishment
The Union of News Agencies of the OIC Member States (UNA), an OIC specialized institution, was set up in pursuance of resolution No.6/3- adopted by the 3rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Jeddah in March 1972, following a prior decision taken by the Islamic Conference in Karachi, (Islamic Republic of Pakistan) in 1970.  

Objectives

• To develop close and better relations between member states in the Information field.
• To promote contacts and technical cooperation between the news agencies of member states.
• To work for better understanding of Islamic peoples and their political, economic and social problems.

Headquarters
The Headquarters of UNA is located in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

Address
P.O.Box 5054, Jeddah 21422 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel:  (+966 12) 665 8561 / 665 2056
Fax: (+966 12) 665 9358
Email:  Info@una-oic.org
Website: www.una-oic.org

Islamic Committee of the International Crescent (ICIC)

DEFINITION
The Islamic Committee for the International Crescent is a specialized institution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It helps to alleviate the sufferings caused by natural disaster and war.

ESTABLISHMENT
The Eighth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in May 1977, at Tripoli (Libya), approved the principle of creation of this institution.

OBJECTIVES
This organ is designed:
To provide medical assistance and to alleviate the sufferings caused by natural catastrophes and man-made disasters.
To offer all necessary assistance within its possibilities, to international and local organizations, serving humanity.
HEADQUARTERS
The Headquarters of the Committee is in Benghazi, the Great Libyan People's Arab Socialist Jamahiriya.

ADDRESS
P.O. Box 17434, Benghazi
State of Libya
Tel : +218 61 909 5824
Fax: +218 61 909 5823
Email: info@icic-oic.org
Website: www.icic-oic.org

The Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO)

DEFINITION
The Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO) is a specialized institution of the OIC having the mandate to implement science, technology and innovation related resolutions and decisions of the Islamic Summit Conference, the General Assembly of COMSTECH, and the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in accordance with the provisions of the OIC Charter.

ESTABLISHMENT
STIO was established as a Specialized Institution of the OIC in accordance with Chapter XIII, article 24 of the OIC Charter pursuant to the Resolution No. 8/34-S&T adopted by the 34th CFM (Islamabad, 2007). The Statute of STIO came into force with its adoption by the Founding Members at their meeting in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held on 24 February 2010 as per Article 30 of the STIO’s Statute.

OBJECTIVES

to promote cooperation, coordination and encourage activities in the fields of STI between Member States with the view to elevate the level of STI and human capital in the OIC;
to encourage Member States to incorporate science, technology and innovation in the formulation and implementation of their development strategy;
to maximize utilization of the scientific talent and technological potential of Member States and to foster their technical competence and capabilities to enable them to face the new challenges;
to promote smart partnerships and pool resources of the private and public sectors for research and development; and
to promote and encourage regional and international cooperation in STI.

FUNCTIONS

• Study STI related issues of its Member States for attention of the Islamic Summit Conference, the General Assembly of COMSTECH and the CFM;
• motivate and assist Member States in strengthening STI policy and infrastructure;
• assist STI and research community to smoothly realize their goals;
• cooperate and coordinate with STI related international organizations for the benefit of its Member States;
• create awareness among Muslim societies to adopt science and scientific culture for their well being and security;
• devise plans and proposals to make science and technology relevant to socio-economic advancement;
• devise technology transfer policies for its Member States; and
• hold consultations in its field of competence with international and regional groupings and organizations, whenever expedient for the fulfillment of its objectives.

MEMBERSHIP

• Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation have the right to apply for membership of STIO and become full members on approval by the Council of Ministers by simple majority.
• Observer states in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation shall have the right to apply for Observer status in STIO. Observer membership shall be granted by a simple majority of the Council of Ministers.

HEADQUARTERS

• STIO has its Headquarters located in Islamabad, capital city of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
• The Coordinator General of COMSTECH concurrently serves as the Director General of STIO.

ADDRESS
COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad
Telephone: +92 51 9220681-3
Fax: +92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264
Email: comstech@comstech.org
www.stio.comstech.org

Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS)

DEFINITION 
The Islamic Organisation for Food Security is a specialized institution of the OIC, dedicated to promoting agricultural and rural development as well as enhancing food security in OIC member states.  

ESTABLISHMENT
The 39th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, which was held in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti on 15-17 November 2012, decided to establish an OIC food security institution in Astana (presently Nur-Sultan), Republic of Kazakhstan. Subsequently, the 40th Session of Council of Foreign Ministers, which was held in Conakry, Republic of Guinea on 9-11 December 2013, approved the Statute establishing Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) as an OIC specialized institution for promoting agriculture, rural development and food security. 

The Statute of IOFS entered into force definitively on 19 February 2018, in line with the Article 21 of the Statute, while the Secretariat of IOFS started its operations on 1 March 2018.

OBJECTIVES 
The overall objectives of IOFS are: to coordinate, formulate and implement common agricultural policies, including the exchange and transfer of appropriate; to assess and monitor the food security situation in member states in order to determine and make necessary emergency and humanitarian assistance, including the creation of food security reserves; to mobilize and manage financial and agricultural resources for developing agriculture; and enhancing the food security in member states, among others.

MEMBERSHIP
Every member state of the OIC may become a member of the Organisation upon signing and ratifying the Statute.  

HEADQUARTERS
The Headquarters of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security is in Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan.
  
ADDRESS

Mangilik Yel Ave. 55/21 AIFC, 
Unit 4, C4.2 Nur-Sultan, 010000 
Republic of Kazakhstan
Phone: +7 (7172) 99 99 00
Fax: +7 (7172) 99 99 75
E-Mail: info@iofs.org.kz  
Website: www.iofs.org.kz