OIC Summit concludes with 'Jakarta Declaration' supporting Palestinian independence

The fifth Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Extraordinary Summit concluded on Monday as all country members approved the "Jakarta Declaration" resulted from the two-day high-level talks.

The Jakarta Declaration reaffirms OIC member countries' supports on the recognition of Palestinian people's self-determination, including their rights to independence with Al-Quds Al-Sharif, or Jerusalem, as its capital city.

The document also pledges commitment to fully support for the National Unity Government under the leadership of Palestinian president that comes as a culmination of OIC Cairo and Mecca agreements resulted from previous OIC Summits.

Twenty-three steps were also stipulated in the declaration, translating the support affirmation into concrete actions.

Among those steps were the call for the international community to boycott Israeli products and its illegal settlements projects in the West Bank, urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address the question of Israel's illegal settlements that undermines the two-state solution, enthrone peace and provide international protection to the Palestinian people. The OIC country members sitting in UNSC were told to address the call.

Necessary moves were also sought to unite Islamic state leaders, avoiding differences in international forums, including in the UN processes, particularly in the issue of voting and mobilizing supports for resolutions supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause, according to a point stipulated in the declaration's concrete action articles.

The declaration also extends supports towards convening of an international peace conference that establishes a new international collective process to advance process in attaining two-state solution for peace on the basis of the pre-1967 borders.

One part of the moves encourages public, private sector in OIC country members to mobilize financial contributions to help Palestinian people and to save and preserve Islamic cultural heritages in Palestine.

The Summit attended by delegates of 55 OIC country members was closed down by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"I extend my gratitude and high appreciation for your highness and all delegates attending the summit who provide their active contributions in this Summit," President Widodo said in his closing remarks.

Previously in the opening of the summit themed "United for a Just Solution" held earlier today, President Widodo pointed out that OIC must be part of solution to resolve Palestine issues, instead of becoming another problem to the solution.

"If OIC cannot partake in the efforts to seek solution for Palestine issue, OIC's existence is no longer relevant," the Indonesian president reminded.

In the second day of the Summit, President Widodo held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from several OIC members in the event held at Jakarta's landmark convention hall of JCC.

Among the leaders met with Indonesian president were Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud and Libyan National Joint Government Prime Minister Faiz Al-Serraj.

Previously on Sunday evening, President Widodo met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, pledging Indonesia's steadfast support for the independence of Palestine and to provide further capacity building assistance for the Palestinian people.

President Joko Widodo also received the courtesy visits of foreign affairs ministers from Iran , Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Omani state council chairman in the event.

Palestine is the only OIC's country members which is still largely occupied by a foreign country. Palestine saw violence against its people.

International efforts have been sought to find solution to resolve the issue but yet to bear results.

Indonesia's stance on Palestine is clearly mandated in its constitution. Indonesia has provided significant support and contributions for Palestine, showed in assistance and cooperation to the government and people of Palestine, among others 1 million U.S. Dollars in humanitarian aid.

Indonesia has also initiated more than 135 capacity building programs to Palestinians throughout 2008-2015 within the frameworks of bilateral cooperation, NAASP (New Asian-African Strategic Partnership for Palestinian Capacity Building Program), and CEAPAD (Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development).

Indonesia will soon officiate its honorary consulate in Ramallah to further enhance cooperation between Indonesia and Palestine.

In 2015, the Government of Indonesia hosted the International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem and the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Asia and Africa Conference, which adopted the Declaration on Palestine.

Almost half a century since the establishment of OIC in 1969, Palestine remains the only member living under foreign occupation. Endit