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),

Recalling Resolution No. 34/8-E (IS) adopted by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Tehran;

Taking into consideration the relevant paragraph of the Resolution No. 1 of the 13th Session of the COMCEC;

Also taking into consideration the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation among Member States approved by the 10th Session of the COMCEC and endorsed by the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

Noting that the IDB document on "preparation of the Ummah for the 21st Century in the fields of economic, commercial and financial cooperation" is a long term strategic framework document that provides a long-term vision, which lends strength and direction to the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action;

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

Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General,

1. Appreciates the initiative of IDB to prepare the document on "peparation of the Ummah for the 21st Century in the fields of economic, commercial and financial cooperation".

2. Expresses its appreciation for the content of the document and its call on the Ummah to face challenges posed by the 21st Century.

3. Calls upon Member States to cooperate in future studies to explore possibilities of cooperative actions to face challenges of globalization.

4. Urges Member States and OIC institutions to implement diligently the OIC Plan of Action to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation.

5. Calls upon the IDB in consultation with other OIC Organs and relevant Islamic institutions to draw the needed implementation modalities to translate recommendations of the IDB document into practical programmes with qualitative and quantitative objectives in the areas of human resource development; expansion of trade and investment among Member States; securing basic needs such as health, education and food; in a coordinated manner. Participation of public and private sectors and utilization of facilities of the competent international organizations and institutions could have contribution towads these objectives.

6. Requests the OIC Standing Committees and calls upon the OIC Institutions to explore the challenges of the 21st century each contributing to its respective field of competence, and to delineate possible responses by the Ummah for these challenges.

7. Recommends IDB to convene, sectoral meetings for exporters and importers of the Member States, annual coodination sessions among regional economic groupings in Islamic world, and also coordination meetings between free trade areas of Member States, with the objective of facilitating and increasing the level of trade among Member States.

8. Requests IDB to provide necessary facilities for expansion of trade of consultative, technical and engineering services, with the view to expanding such trade of services among Member States.

9. Decides to provide necessary guidance for the realization of the objectives envisaged in this resolutions.

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

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