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. 4/8-E (IS) adopted by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

Recalling Resolution No. 4/24-E adopted by the Twenty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

Expressing its concern over the prevalence of poverty and its tragic dimensions which should be checked in time;

Reiterating the need to give special attention to the eradication of poverty, notably in the Least Developed and Low-income Islamic countries;

Acting in conformity with Islamic rules and precepts as well as the OIC Charter and moved by the spirit of Islamic solidarity;

Having taken note of the recommendations of the 21st Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs;

Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General on this matter;

Noting that Micro-Credit programmes by providing access to small capital, contribute towards eradication of poverty through generating productive self-employment, ensuring social and human developoment, and promoting participatory processes in the societies,

1. Declares that the eradication of abject poverty in all Member States before the end of the next decade should constitute a common objective of OIC Member States.

2. Confirms the link between the acute nature of the poverty phenomenon and the distortion of the socio-economic structures, marginalization in the global economy, and deterioration of terms of trade, due to the inappropriate international

conditions, particularly those relating to the requisites of economic growth and development.

3. Urges Member States and the international community to take specific measures for the fulfillment of the commitments made at the World Social Summit,

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held in Copenhagen, so as to enable the Least Developed Member States to attain this objective.

. 4. Encourages consideration of incorporation of microcredit schemes in the strategy of poverty eradication and implementation of related recommendations as reflected in the Plan of Action adopted in the Micro-Credit Summit held from 2-4 February 1997 which launched a global movement to reach 100 million of the world's poorest families for self-employment and other financial and business services by the year 2001.

5. Reaffirms that a favourable international economic environment taking into account the requirements of developing countries, within the framework of the concessions to be granted to them in terms of financial and technical assistance and investment resources; and also, of their access to international markets, raw materials price stability and appropriate structural programmes, is necessary for the success of

the struggle being waged by LDCs and low income countries to help them eradicate poverty.

6. Appeals to developed countries to increase their aid programmes in order to attain 0.7% of the GDP in official aid to development, as has been approved and indicated in the related UN resolutions.

7. Urges the LDCs and low income countries to play in a more coordinated manner a more active role in international fora dealing with the eradication of poverty.

8. Requests Member States to intensify implementation of technical cooperation programmes among themselves with a view to improving the health,

educational, human and housing conditions as well as other basic needs of their respective populations.

9. Encourages Member States, and competent OIC organs and institutions to support the programmes of OIC least developed countries and the low income ones, with a view to strengthening their local technical capabilities and creating production and job opportunities.

10. Stresses the importance of effective national, financial, monetary, commercial and budgetary policies in the mobilization of national resources making it possible to combat poverty.

11. Reaffirms the need to give special attention to the eradication of poverty in the least developed and poorer Member States.

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

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