Abu-Ghazaleh Elected as Part of the Preparatory Committee for Launching the Economic Empowerment Program for the People of Palestine
JEDDAH − A consultative meeting was held for discussing the implementation of a series of decisions made at the Islamic Summit in Istanbul relating to the ‘Economic Empowerment Program for the People of Palestine’, most notably including the decision to elect HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), as part of the Preparatory Committee for launching the program.
The meeting was held at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) headquarters with the presence of the Secretary General of the OIC, the President of the Islamic Development Bank, the Ambassador of the Palestinian government for the OIC, and representatives from the Islamic Summit for Turkey, the fifth Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Indonesia, the private sector and civil society organizations.
The program aims to adopt new initiatives that contribute to the stability and welfare of Palestinians on their territories in Jerusalem, and on all occupied territories. It also aims to support Palestinians in accessing housing and social services, and in providing economic benefits to different sectors of society, including: university graduates, innovators, distinguished professionals, those physically challenged – with disability, workers, professionals, small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs of both genders, and other emerging businesses.
The Preparatory Committee will be responsible for launching the program, monitoring its activities, and appointing an authority for managing it. This committee includes representatives from the current Chair of the Islamic Summit in Turkey, the Chair of the Extraordinary Summit on Al-Quds (Indonesia), Chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Kuwait, the OIC host country − the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the State of Palestine; in addition to other stakeholders including the OIC General Secretariat, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry, civil society organizations, the OIC’s “Humanitarian Funds” for voluntary organizations, and influential Social Media activists.
The Islamic Development Bank will facilitate execution of the program’s work, and provide the needed technical support for its management. It will also coordinate with the Palestinian government in creating a list of projects that could potentially be supported through the program. The bank will work with its partners to complete formation of a taskforce for its first meeting, that will be held during the month of July, 2016.
During the meeting, methods of fundraising were discussed for both member states and other countries. Raising awareness for the member states, including Turkey, Indonesia, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Palestine, was also highlighted− especially pertaining to their active role and contributions in supporting implementation of the program.
The arrangement of a meeting for the private sector in OIC’s member states was called for in coordination with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and the United Nations Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector Development to discuss their role and social responsibility in contributing to the program. These contributions include beneficial investment projects that target the poor and marginalized into mainstream value and supply chains to ensure benefit from the tax incentives.
In addition, it was agreed upon that work should be conducted through electronic platforms in cooperation with international stakeholders that are interested in fundraising and investment through ‘Crowdfunding’ and leading social entrepreneurial institutions in order to fulfil the program’s service objectives.
A progress report will be submitted to the meeting of Foreign Ministers Council on the 18th and 19th of October 2016 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, aiming to ensure that the program is completely launched.