The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation elected a veteran Mauritanian diplomat as the new Secretary General of the organization for a five-year term; in his first statements, Ould Cheikh Ahmed called the Palestine issue a “central issue” of the organization and emphasized strengthening its role in the international arena.
Publish dateSaturday 29 August 2026 - 10:33
Story Code : 364121
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation elected Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as the new Secretary General of the organization in an extraordinary meeting held at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
According to Noor News, Ould Cheikh Ahmed, born in 1960, will head the organization’s secretariat for a five-year term; an election that has been accompanied by hopes of strengthening the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the international arena.
After his election, the new Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, while thanking the member states for the trust they have placed in him, said that nearly two billion Muslims expect an organization that is “more present and effective” that can serve their issues, defend their interests, and participate in building a future based on security, peace, and dignity.
In outlining his priorities, he emphasized that the Palestinian issue will continue to be the “central issue” of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the political, humanitarian, and civilizational dimensions, and considered supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the holy sites a “firm and unchangeable commitment.”
Referring to contemporary challenges, including profound geopolitical developments and the impact of artificial intelligence and the digital economy on the international system, Ould Sheikh Ahmed also pledged to increase the Organization’s efforts to combat Islamophobia and hate speech, and to expand dialogue and cooperation with the international community.
The new Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has a decades-long history in the fields of international mediation, development, and humanitarian affairs. He was Mauritanian Foreign Minister from 2018 to 2022, after which he served as Chief of Staff to President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. Before returning to the Mauritanian government, he held various senior positions in the United Nations.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Jeddah, has 57 member states. According to the organization’s charter, the Secretary-General is elected by the Council of Foreign Ministers for a five-year term, renewable once.
Accordingly, Ould Cheikh Ahmed replaced Chadian Hussein Ibrahim Taha, who had been the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation since 2021.
According to Noor News, Ould Cheikh Ahmed, born in 1960, will head the organization’s secretariat for a five-year term; an election that has been accompanied by hopes of strengthening the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the international arena.
After his election, the new Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, while thanking the member states for the trust they have placed in him, said that nearly two billion Muslims expect an organization that is “more present and effective” that can serve their issues, defend their interests, and participate in building a future based on security, peace, and dignity.
In outlining his priorities, he emphasized that the Palestinian issue will continue to be the “central issue” of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the political, humanitarian, and civilizational dimensions, and considered supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the holy sites a “firm and unchangeable commitment.”
Referring to contemporary challenges, including profound geopolitical developments and the impact of artificial intelligence and the digital economy on the international system, Ould Sheikh Ahmed also pledged to increase the Organization’s efforts to combat Islamophobia and hate speech, and to expand dialogue and cooperation with the international community.
The new Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has a decades-long history in the fields of international mediation, development, and humanitarian affairs. He was Mauritanian Foreign Minister from 2018 to 2022, after which he served as Chief of Staff to President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. Before returning to the Mauritanian government, he held various senior positions in the United Nations.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Jeddah, has 57 member states. According to the organization’s charter, the Secretary-General is elected by the Council of Foreign Ministers for a five-year term, renewable once.
Accordingly, Ould Cheikh Ahmed replaced Chadian Hussein Ibrahim Taha, who had been the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation since 2021.
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