The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a Better Future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah) held in Doha, State of Qatar, from 17 to 19 Dhul Quida 1418H (15-17 March 1998),

Having taken note of the Resolution No. 6/6-(IS) of the Sixth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

Recalling Resolution No. 20/7-E(IS) of the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference; Resolution 31/8-E (IS) of the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 28/24-E of the Twenty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

Having noted with appreciation of the activity report of the Islamic Development Bank on the subject;

Having noted the recommendations of the Thirteenth Session of the COMCEC;

Noting with satisfaction that the Islamic Development Bank continues to expand its field of operation and activity concerning project financing, trade import and export financing, technical assistance, technical cooperation, special assistance and other fields of cooperation such as food security;

Noting with appreciation that the IDB has played an active role in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Plan of Action adopted by the Third Islamic Summit as well as of the various decisions of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC);

Also noting with satisfaction that within the framework of its commitments aimed at meeting its Member States' needs, the IDB has had to elaborate strategies of new programmes some of which were initiated under the auspices of COMCEC for the promotion of inter-Islamic trade;

Further Noting with satisfaction that the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) commenced its operations in July 1995, and expressing thanks and and appreciation to IDB for its efforts in successfully finalizing the establishment of the Corporation;

Having taken cognizance of the Resolutions of the Thirteenth Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), held in Istanbul, from 12-15 November 1996;

Having taken note of the recommendations of the Twenty-first Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs;

Having taken note also of the report of the Secretary General,

1. Expresses its deep satisfaction for the devotion and efficiency with which the IDB President and his assistants are ensuring the good functioning of this institution which continues making an invaluable contribution to the development and progress of Muslim people.

2. Calls on the Islamic Development Bank to keep up its beneficial action and increase the necessary resources for augmenting its services to the Member States, and to the Islamic Ummah at large.

3. Congratulates the Islamic Development Bank on having set up the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit.

4. Calls on the Member States to participate in various schemes recently launched by the Islamic Development Bank and to benefit from the Longer Term Trade Financing Scheme, Islamic Banks' Portfolio, IDB Unit Investment Fund, the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit along with IDB's other existing schemes, programmes and operations.

5. Appeals to the Member States who have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Articles of Agreement of the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit and to pay their respective shares to its capital so that its benefits would be extended to as wide an OIC area as possible.

6. Requests the General Secretariat, the IDB, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade to jointly organise seminars on regional basis on the various schemes approved by the COMCEC namely the Longer Term Trade Financing System, the Islamic Export Credit and Investment Guarantee Corporation, the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among OIC Member States and the Islamic Clearing Union with a view of ensuring efficient and speedy implementation of these schemes for the benefit of business community of the Islamic Ummah.

7. Invites the Member States which have not yet done so to subscribe to the second capital increase of the IDB and to settle their outstanding contributions and other financial commitments.

8. Calls upon the Member States to lend their support to the Bank so as to enable it to fulfil its obligations and commitments towards fostering economic development and social progress of the Member States.

9. Appreciates the efforts of IDB in assisting Member States in their relationship with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and urges all OIC Member States to participate in the consultation/coordination meeting to be organized by the Bank during the period 29-30 April in preparation for the second WTO Ministerial Meeting to be held in May 1998.

10. Requests the Secretary General to submit a recommendation thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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