The Changing Global Context
The world is experiencing a more significant transformation period in history, which is marked by the increasing geopolitical divisions, climate change, structural crises, and growing inequalities. The conventional multilateral structures that have been long regarded as the backbone of international collaboration are under a lot of pressure. The limits of traditional diplomacy have been realized by problems like climate change, irregular migration, technological disruption, global economic competition, and armed conflicts. At the same time, the increase of intolerance, identity-founded polarization, and loss of international law have aggravated the instability in the world and have reduced the confidence in the current structures. These world dynamics have not spared the Muslim world. Prolonged crises in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Afghanistan are still visibly ravaging communities, a testament to the ineffectiveness of international processes in bringing justice, peace, and stability. Additionally, the increased Islamophobia, hate speech, and discrimination against Muslim minorities, particularly in non-OIC countries, have soared and posed perennial humanitarian and political challenges to both Muslim-majority states and their minority diaspora communities.
Türkiye has become an active leader in this region who suggests the restoration of multilateral cooperation with the help of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Türkiye, through its diplomatic, economic, and institutional ability, will enhance the OIC to act as a coherent representative of the Muslim world and also as a strategic player with the ability to counter and solve the problems affecting the region and world at large.
Türkiye and the OIC
Since its establishment in 1969, the OIC has been the principal collective voice of the Muslim world, with 57 member states and more than one-quarter of the world population. Its brief has conventionally incorporated political advocacy, protection of the rights of Muslim communities, social and economic cooperation, and dialogue and consensus-building. Nevertheless, the organization has been criticized over the decades due to a lack of effectiveness, sluggish decision-making, and the fact that it has not utilized its economic and political potential fully.
Türkiye has traditionally been a proactive member of the OIC and has been involved in major initiatives such as humanitarian interventions and diplomatic advocacy. Interestingly, Türkiye has remained a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, encouraged humanitarian support in times of crisis, and was also involved in the economical and developmental activities of the OIC. A geopolitical location, being between Europe and the Middle East, as well as Central Asia, along with its experience in the past in diplomacy and regional cooperation, has made Türkiye a key player in the organization.
Türkiye’s Active Leadership in the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
Thematic Focus: “The OIC in a Transforming World”
Türkiye has developed a very clear and ambitious vision of reforming OIC in order to become a more active, integrated, and economically engaged organization, as expressed during the 51st Chairmanship of the 2025 Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). The title, “The OIC in a Transforming World,” reiterates the fact that there is an urgent necessity to realign the structures and priorities of the institution to the changing realities in the international world so that it can continue to be a relevant and influential participant in international relations. To align its chairmanship, Türkiye has considered three pillars of its strategy to improve cooperation among member states and relations with international actors, protection of the rights of Muslim minorities and communities around the world, and capacity building and knowledge sharing. These pillars indicate the proactive nature of Türkiye in enhancing the OIC’s unity, efficiency in operations, and strategic outreach, which stipulates that the organization should no longer be seen as a symbolic gesture with little or no action being put in place to address urgent political, economic, and social matters.
Türkiye identified three strategic pillars to guide its chairmanship.
Enhancing Cooperation Between Member States and Engagement with International Actors
The 1st pillar emphasizes the significance of intra-OIC collaboration and more engagement with the global community. One of the most important indicators of economic integration is intra-OIC trade, in which Türkiye has been proactive in improving its relationships. Based on the official data, the percentage of intra-OIC trade in the total foreign trade between the member states rose from 19.16 percent in 2023 to 20.36 percent in 2024, which was part of the initial effects of the measures taken by Türkiye to boost local trade and cooperation. The management of Türkiye is also enhanced by hosting important OIC-related organizations, which include SESRIC, IRCICA, SMIIC, and the OIC Arbitration Centre, which offer the required infrastructure for coordinated policy-making and technical support. The attempts by Türkiye to revive OIC-EU dialogue and hold three-part meetings with the Arab League and African Union show its desire to present the OIC as a major actor in international relations, which would be able to impact the regional and international policies in a positive and unifying way. Through its liaison with other international actors, Türkiye makes the voice of the OIC heard on international economic, political, and humanitarian matters, thus enhancing its attractiveness in the multilateral arenas. The focus of this approach is based on the reality that Türkiye is not just enabling internal unity but also broadening the reach and influence of the OIC at the global level.
Safeguarding the Rights of Muslim Minorities and Communities Worldwide
The second pillar is concerned with the protection of the rights of the Muslim minorities and diasporas, which is a highly important aspect of OIC legitimacy and ethical authority. The appointment of Ambassador Pacaci as the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the OIC to combat Islamophobia is an indication of how proactive Türkiye has been towards combating Islamophobia-related discrimination, hate speech, and violence against Muslim communities in the non-member countries. Understanding that over one-fifth of the Muslim population in the world are not residents of OIC Member States, Türkiye has also held conferences and forums that bring diaspora authorities and other prominent representatives and help in exchanging ideas, protecting rights, and transnational solidarity. The historical background and the domestic experience of dealing with minority and diaspora problems give Türkiye a strong credibility in the OIC, and therefore it could easily campaign and lobby for the interest of the Muslim people in the international arena. With the incorporation of the demands of minority groups in the OIC policies, Türkiye makes sure that the organization does not simply focus on international political issues but also on social justice and human rights issues, which makes it the more legitimate organization to represent the interests of the Muslim world.
Building Capacity and Fostering Exchange of Knowledge
Capacity building, knowledge sharing, and proactive leadership have been highlighted by Türkiye as the key pillars of its chairmanship of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC. Understanding that the success of the organization does not depend on political coordination alone but also on the capabilities to operate and the technical knowledge, Türkiye has adopted an all-round approach to empower institutional capacities among Member States. The hosting of the OIC 2nd Transport Ministers Conference, the 6th mediation of peace Certificate Program organized by the Turkish Diplomatic Academy, and the dissemination of lessons learned in disaster management following the 6th earthquake on February 6 highlight the efforts of Türkiye in being a transformational organization that aims to remodel the OIC into a result-oriented organization. Such programs promote the exchange of knowledge, allow less advanced member states to learn from the experience that Türkiye has, and strengthen the solidarity within the OIC.
The leadership of Türkiye is beyond operational but economic and strategic influence. Being a significant force in the economy, with exports of around USD 265 billion in 2023, Türkiye can effectively increase intra-OIC trade, increase connectivity, and become a transit point linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Its leadership of the reforms in the OIC, such as the modernization of the Charter, is a pledge to build a responsible and outcome-oriented organization. Stable stances on vital matters, including the Palestinian cause, humanitarian assistance, minority rights, and so forth, further increase the credibility and mobilizing power of Türkiye in the OIC. Through the provision of expertise on disaster management, trade, and diplomacy, Türkiye enhances the strength and operational ability of member states, enabling them to overcome obstacles of differing resources, geopolitical frictions, and institutional differences between member states.
Türkiye has also been keen on the improvement of intra-OIC cooperation and external engagement. The Tripartite Coordination Mechanism OIC-EU dialogue of OIC, Arab League, and African Union, meant to coordinate policies on issues concerning the Palestinian cause, is indicative of Türkiye’s desire to work towards practical and result-oriented collaboration. High-level tripartite meetings will also increase the strength of coordination and make sure that strategies are translated successfully into action. Türkiye has also given a renewed focus to rejuvenating OICEU dialogue to strengthen the organization in economic, political, and humanitarian spheres of the world. Through its interactions with key international actors, Türkiye makes sure that the interests of OIC Member States are represented in the most efficient way, and with the help of the OIC, the Muslim world can be presented as a strategic mediator between the world and its main players.
Moreover, the focus on realistic cooperation, which Türkiye prioritizes, such as sharing best practices in trade, investment, disaster management, and digital connectivity, will make sure that the improvement of coordination will have visible outcomes, to the benefit of member states. The forums on the ministerial level, technical workshops, and knowledge-exchange programs ensure internal unity and enhance the legitimacy of the OIC on the international level. In strategic alliances with the Arab League, African Union, and European Union, Türkiye will make the OIC capable of resolving conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, economic inequalities, and geopolitical uncertainties. Türkiye, through these efforts, is proving that active leadership, capacity building, and strategic partnership are the measures that can help change the OIC into a cohesive, energetic, and globally relevant organization that can serve the common interests of the member states and the rest of the Muslim world.
Protecting Muslim Minorities and Diaspora Communities: Türkiye’s Strategic Priority within the OIC
Türkiye has been keen on protecting Muslim minorities and diasporas across the world since they acknowledge that their well-being is not only a moral concern but also a strategic priority of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The external duty of the OIC, being the key umbrella organization representing the Muslim world, is the need to promote the rights and liberation of Muslims beyond the Member States. In this respect, Türkiye has made tangible efforts to institutionalize measures meant to counter discrimination, hate speech, and intolerance, and the credibility and relevancy of the OIC in the world human rights debate. It is significant to note that one such initiative during the Türkiye leadership is the appointment of Ambassador Pacaci as the Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary General on the fight against Islamophobia. The appointment is a strategic move to combat an increasing wave of Muslim communities in the world, especially in those regions where their communities are in the minority. The mandate of Ambassador Pacaci includes diplomacy advocacy and international organization coordination, as well as involvement with governments to fight against policies, rhetoric, and practices that discriminate against Muslims. The leadership of the OIC in this regard shows that it is willing to shift the OIC to an action-oriented protection and policy-advocacy organization on behalf of global Muslim communities.
Türkiye has also been keen on the implementation of the Istanbul Process, and the 9th Meeting will be undertaken to deliberate on the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18. In this resolution, intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, and discrimination of persons on the basis of religion or belief are stressed to be fought. Conducting such an important meeting, Türkiye gives a platform where the member states, international organizations, and civil society actors can coordinate their activities, exchange best practices, and come up with practical policies that reduce prejudice and foster social inclusion. With the involvement of Türkiye, the OIC approach to minority protection will be systematic and results-oriented as opposed to being symbolic.
Considering that over a fifth of the total Muslim population are not members of the OIC (mainly in Europe, North America, and Australia), the projects by Türkiye are supposed to make sure that such communities are provided with specific diplomatic care, lobbying, and protection. This involves the holding of conferences, workshops, and forums, which assemble the diaspora leaders, policymakers, and human rights experts. These programs aim at enhancing the ability of the Muslim communities to overcome issues of social integration, legal protection, and cultural conservation. The leadership provided by Türkiye will provide these initiatives with effective coordination, inclusiveness, and alignment to wider OIC priorities in a manner that will maximize their impact and relevance.
Moreover, when it comes to protecting Muslim minorities, Türkiye goes beyond the field of advocacy to the actual support and involvement. Establishing communication streams between the diaspora population and the OIC institutions makes Türkiye feel like they belong and are represented, and as a result, their interests are taken into account in policy formulation, which directly deals with them. It is a strategy that would not only enhance intra-OIC integration but also would make Türkiye an instrument in introducing the divide that exists between member states and their expatriate communities.
The active approach of Türkiye in defending the minorities of Muslims also underscores its vision of an active and socially supportive OIC. The Istanbul Process, Special Envoy, and diaspora engagement programs are some of the initiatives through which Türkiye has ensured that the organization contributes to the advancement of justice, equality, and inclusion of all Muslims across the world. Considering both legal and social aspects of discrimination, Türkiye strengthens the OIC’s moral power on the international level and enhances its ability to address modern problems that Muslim communities are having to struggle with on a global scale.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange: Türkiye’s Pillar for a Stronger OIC
The key elements to capacity building and knowledge exchange in the Chairmanship of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC have been part of the strategic vision to improve the functioning of the organization. Türkiye acknowledges that the power of the OIC is not only based on their political coordination but also reflects on the technical, institutional, and operational capacities of their member states. To overcome the challenge of economic integration, trade facilitation, conflict management, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian response, Türkiye has formulated an elaborate strategy that enhances individual states as well as the entire organization, which promotes cohesion, resilience, and active participation in the Muslim world. One of the main efforts towards this area is the OIC 2nd Transport Ministers Conference that took place in Türkiye that aims at enhancing connectivity among Member States. The geographic position of Turkey: The geographic position of Turkey that connects Europe, Asia, and the Middle East makes it a strategic location in the transport infrastructure, trade routes, and logistics collaboration. The conference helps in the exchange of best practices, transport policy coordination, and the joint infrastructure projects discussion that, in turn, stimulate the intra-OIC trade, decrease barriers, and facilitate the efficient flow of goods, services, and people. The level of connectivity not only leads to economic growth but also increases the capabilities of the OIC to effectively respond to crises, including humanitarian crises.
The other aspect that Türkiye has focused on is mediation and conflict resolution capabilities. The Türkiye training of diplomats, OIC Secretariat staff, and member state representatives in negotiation, dialogue mediation, and conflict management is done through the 6th Mediation for Peace Certificate Program, hosted by the Diplomacy Academy of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These activities institutionalize a culture of preventive diplomacy in the OIC, enabling member states to have capabilities of dealing with regional conflicts positively and pursuing peace efforts. Another important pillar is disaster preparedness and humanitarian response. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) of Türkiye has provided lessons learned to Member States during workshops, training, and simulations on the lessons learned during the February 6 earthquake. The knowledge transfer improves intra-OIC coordination, which allows responding quickly and efficiently to natural disasters, conflicts, and emergencies and enhances the organizational resilience and solidarity. Moreover, Türkiye encourages the economic and technological knowledge exchange with the emphasis on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, e-governance, and smart logistics. Through the spread of technical skills, Türkiye is able to ensure that weaker OIC states are able to compete with other countries in the world, and also economic integration, trade, and investment flows in and out of the organization. Collaboration is also facilitated by the working groups, technical committees, and inter-ministerial forums, which enable member states to align their policies, put joint initiatives in place, and exchange solutions in areas of renewable energy, climate adaptation, and green infrastructure. The integrated nature of the approach, with transport, disaster management, diplomacy, and technological knowledge, would make sure that the capacity-building efforts are comprehensive, feasible, and effective by Türkiye. These programs help in bringing about intra-OIC solidarity, trust, and shared responsibility, which results in forming a networked and resilient organization that is able to effectively respond to the fast-changing global environment. By doing so, Türkiye enhances the overall operational capacity of the OIC and the level of institutional cohesion of the organization and establishes the organization as a knowledge-based actor that can provide actual outcomes on behalf of its member states.
Türkiye’s Leadership: Shaping a Dynamic and Unified OIC in a Transforming World
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is at the juncture of a time when the world is going through a period of radical change. The desire of Türkiye to have a more active and integrated OIC accentuates the necessity of the organization to transform into an active platform that can influence the political, economic, and humanitarian results of the Muslim world. Under the Chairmanship of Türkiye, the leadership of the OIC has proved that leadership can be both diplomatic and practical, aimed at developing capacity building, exchanging wisdom, and enhancing solidarity among the OIC countries. Türkiye, with its proactive attitude that showcases strategic conferences, further development of mediation programs, efforts to improve disaster preparedness, and increased connectivity and trade, is one of the examples of how the modern world should be approached. Türkiye has not pursued operational and technical assistance without a comprehensive realization that to ensure sustainable development of OIC, the integration of the economies, human security, and strategic alliances with other continents is the key to success. Through its special geopolitical location, economic influence, and institutional experience, Türkiye has increased the voice of the OIC in the international arena, has enhanced its relationship with major actors throughout the world, and has been championing protection of Muslim minorities in the world. These initiatives make the OIC relevant in the age of systemic crises, geopolitical rivalry, and a fast-paced technological evolution.
The way ahead requires further togetherness, strength, and creativity. The initiatives of Türkiye can be viewed as an action plan to be followed by all strong, coordinated, and forward-looking OIC in responding to the urgent needs of its Member States and demanding strategic agency of the Islamic world in the global context. By adopting this vision, the OIC will be able to shift to action-oriented diplomacy and implement economic cooperation, humanitarian intervention, conflict resolution, and climate action efficiently, inclusively, and sustainably. The leadership of Türkiye in the OIC explains that transformative action needs a vision and action. Through enhancing unity, capacity building, and strategic involvement in other regions, Türkiye establishes the platform to have a better, stronger, and more powerful OIC. The unity and performance of the organization in a changing world will be pegged on the fact of whether its member states will continue to pursue this proactive model so that the OIC will continue to play a critical role in creating a just, safe, and thriving world for the global Muslim community.
Conclusion
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is at the crossroads as the world experiences a period of great change. This vision of a more active and integrated OIC by Türkiye reflects the necessity to make the organization not a highly consultative institution but a dynamic platform able to influence the political, economic, and humanitarian destiny of the Muslim world. As its leadership through its chairmanship has shown, being a leader in the OIC can be coupled with diplomatic involvement, as well as the practical initiatives that develop capacity, exchange knowledge, and enhance intra-OIC solidarity. Through the organization of strategic conferences, mediation, disaster preparedness, connectivity, and trade promotion, Türkiye is a good example of the proactive nature of the response needed to combat modern challenges. Türkiye has not only been involved in offering operational and technical assistance, but it also represents a holistic approach that sustainable development of the OIC is based on economic integration, human security, and strategic alliances among continents. Through its distinctive geopolitical location, economic influence, and institutional experience, Türkiye has enhanced the voice of the OIC in the international arena, enhanced its relationship with major actors in the international systems, and promoted the protection of Muslim minorities across the world. These initiatives affirm the topicality of the OIC in the time of systemic crises, the competition in geopolitics, and the blistering technological shift. The way ahead requires further togetherness, strength, and creativity. The efforts of Türkiye exemplify a model of action to be taken by the collective action, with the focus on the idea that a robust, coordinated, and perspective OIC is capable of meeting the urgent demands of its Member States and takes the strategic agency of the Islamic world in international relations. By adopting this vision, the OIC will be able to shift from a reactive diplomacy approach to a proactive leadership style where economic collaboration, humanitarian intervention, conflict management, and climate action are carried out efficiently, inclusively, and in a sustainable manner.
Finally, the example of Türkiye as the head of the OIC demonstrates that acting as a transformer needs a vision and action. Through solidarity, development of institutional capacity, and strategic engagement across regions, Türkiye preconditions a more united, competent, and powerful OIC. The unity and efficacy of the organization in a transforming world will be based on whether the Member States will be committed to adhere to this proactive model so that the OIC will be a critical player in achieving a just, secure, and prosperous future for the global Muslim society.
