Pakistan Assumes OIC Ministerial Conference on Women Chairmanship

The Government of Pakistan hosted the 9th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women from July 12 to 13, 2026, at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. The two-day event brought together representatives from 57 member states to discuss the socio-economic and political empowerment of women under the theme "Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward."

Preparations for the summit were led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who chaired a high-level committee on July 10 to finalize security and logistics. During the proceedings, Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar presided over technical sessions reviewing the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women, focusing on healthcare, education, and digital inclusion. Tarar characterized women's empowerment as a national priority and called for global support for women in conflict-affected regions, including Gaza, Palestine, Afghanistan, and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

A primary outcome of the conference was the formal transfer of the chairmanship from Egypt to Pakistan for a two-year term, with Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani presiding. On the sidelines, Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Türkiye regarding social protection and family affairs, while representatives from Bangladesh and Iran met to discuss cooperation in health and education. The event concluded with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration.