October 18–19, 2026 | Baghdad
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced the official adoption of the "Baghdad Declaration" as the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, hosted by the Iraqi capital, concluded its work.
This marks a confirmed development compared to the previous briefing, when the final communique was still pending approval.
According to the OIC's official statement, the meetings concluded on Sunday evening following two days of deliberations.
Adoption of the Baghdad Declaration: Member states approved the final communique, along with resolutions concerning political, humanitarian, economic, and institutional files.
Palestinian Rights: The resolutions reaffirmed support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Human Rights: The conference addressed the rights of minorities and Muslim communities, in addition to combating Islamophobia.
Economic Cooperation: Ministers discussed issues of economic development, humanitarian challenges, scientific cooperation, and social programs.
Signing of Legal Documents: Delegations from 12 member states signed a set of the Organization's foundational statutes and agreements on the sidelines of the meetings.
The signatory countries are Syria, Turkey, Mauritania, Djibouti, Egypt, Somalia, Lebanon, Libya, Comoros, Sudan, Gambia, and Yemen.
The Implementation Challenge: OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed stressed the necessity of moving from consensus on resolutions to consensus on practical implementation.
Upcoming Meetings: Benin is to host the next session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, while Azerbaijan is preparing to host the upcoming Islamic Summit.
The reviewed official final communique did not include an announcement of a new binding collective security mechanism or a specific financial commitment.
Strategic Assessment
For Iraq, the successful conclusion of the conference reinforces Baghdad's position as a hub for regional and international diplomatic meetings.
However, the broader significance is tied to what happens after the conference.
While the Organization includes 57 countries possessing significant demographic, economic, and political weight, agreeing on statements does not necessarily translate to the ability to coordinate policies.
The real test is the extent of member states' readiness to turn their common positions into tangible cooperation in economic development, humanitarian aid, and the protection of civilian rights.
What did Baghdad achieve? A diplomatic gain? A strategic gain? A regional gain?
When 12 out of 57 countries sign legal documents, is that considered an achievement?
And what is the reason for the absence of any Persian Gulf states signing the documents?