Jeddah (UNA) – The Permanent Council of the Islamic Solidarity Fund held its sixty-ninth session virtually on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, via virtual linking technology.
At the outset of the meeting, the Chairman of the Fund's Permanent Council, Ambassador Nasser bin Abdullah bin Hamdan Al Zaabi, delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the Fund has strengthened the concept of solidarity and cooperation among the peoples of the Islamic nation, united by faith and purpose, as the humanitarian financial arm of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, through its projects spread across approximately 130 countries worldwide. He explained that the number of projects has reached nearly 3000, with a total cost of US$247 million.
He noted that these projects varied between educational, health, developmental and relief, explaining that the Fund’s tripartite emergency committee approved providing urgent assistance to those affected by the violent earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, as well as to those affected by the devastating floods in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which resulted in loss of life and property.
The aid also included support for those affected by the floods in Sumatra Island in the Republic of Indonesia, as well as those affected in the southern provinces of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Chairman of the Fund’s Permanent Council stressed the priority of supporting the Palestinian people and providing living, health, social, cultural and educational assistance for 51 years, and the giving is still ongoing, as the total amount provided by the Fund to the State of Palestine has reached more than 29 million US dollars.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their great and continued support to the Fund.
For his part, the representative of the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the Islamic Solidarity Fund has proven its effectiveness through its noble services for the benefit of Islamic societies, and expressed his pride in the role of the Fund, which has become a symbol of solidarity, through many projects, noting that the Fund is always present where there is a dire need, affirming its noble mission in serving society for a better future.
The Secretary-General’s representative noted that the residents of the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people are still in great need of support, expressing his thanks and gratitude to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their continued annual voluntary contributions, and thanking all countries that have made donations in the past.
The session also discussed a number of the Council's activities, programs, and the extensive assistance it provides to the organization's member states.
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