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. 6/8-E (IS) adopted by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

Recalling Resolution No. 6/24-E adopted by the Twenty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

Reaffirming the relevance of both the new Strategy and the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation among Member States, endorsed at the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference, and underlining in this respect, the dynamic and constructive role played by the President of the Republic of Turkey in chairing the COMCEC's proceedings;

Stressing the importance of collaboration among OIC Member States in implementing the strategy and the Plan of Action;

Realizing the quick evolution of the world economy towards increased globalization and integration, as well as the challenges embodied in the constitution of powerful economic blocs and by the growing liberalization of world trade;

Bearing in mind the forthcoming implementation of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the possible impacts of the Uruguay Round Agreements and recent global pacts such as "Information Technology Agreement" and "Telecom Pact" on the developing World in general and on the OIC Member States in particular, and recognizing in this respect the need for more cooperation and coordination among OIC Member States to ensure that their share in the world trade will be increased respectively;

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring universality of the World Trade Organisation and convinced that as a result of the establishment of the WTO, trade relations between Member States should be placed within the framework of the rights and obligations provided for by the new trade rules contained in the Final Act of the Uruguay Round;

Taking note with satisfaction of the reports submitted by the SESRTCIC, ICDT, IDB, and ICCI on the subject;

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

Having considered the report of the Secretary General,

1. Takes note with appreciation of all the decisions taken by the COMCEC relating to the Strategy and the Plan of Action for the strengthening of inter-Islamic economic and commercial cooperation.

2. welcomes with satisfaction, the under-mentioned proposals made by His Majesty King Hassan II to the international community on the occasion of the closing session of the Ministerial Conference of the Uruguay Round in Marrakesh:

a) The implementation of a "genuine Marshall Plan" in favour of Africa, with a view to reducing the tremendous poverty and lessen the recurring tensions from which its populations are suffering;

b) The setting up of a new international negotiations mechanism which will better safeguard the national interests of developing countries in general and particularly those of OIC Member States;

3. Exhorts Member States to take necessary steps on a progressive basis with a view to harmonizing the legal framework of their economic policies in order to adapt them to the new trade rules provided for within the WTO framework and encouraging thus a quick development of trade between Member States, so as to attain the target of 20% by the end of the decade.

4. Invites Member States to revitalize their actions in order to increase their share in the world economy notably by a sustained improvement of their international competitiveness at the level of the goods and services exports, by adopting a series of policies meant to improve their economic infrastructures, master the services sector, increase the value added and the quality of products, diversify the productive base and provide the required conditions likely to attract foreign investments.

5. Mandates the OIC to set up an Islamic Observatory for International Competitiveness within existing competent institutions in order to regularly follow the evolution of the market shares of Islamic Countries in the world economy.

6. Expresses deep concern at the tendencies among some developed countries to link labour and environment related issues with trade deals and emphasizes that such trends are detrimental to the evolution of a just, free and fair trading environment.

7. Emphasizes the growing importance of the services sector in the world economy and calls on Member States to increase technical cooperation in this field among themselves.

8. Calls upon Member States to further increase their efforts and their budgetary allocations for Research and Development, and also expand their cooperation and coordination in this field through inter-alia, joint ventures with a view to support their production of goods and services as well as their competitiveness in international markets.

9. Invites Member States to endeavour to reinforce sub-regional and regional economic groupings and relaunch the existing economic integration projects among Islamic countries, with a view to institutionalizing cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, finance and technology among these countries which could methodically prepare the establishment of an Islamic Common Market or any other suitable form of economic integration among themselves.

10. Affirms that in order to achieve the above objectives the private sector in Islamic Countries should play a prominent role through giving impetus to inter-Islamic economic relations and in this context invites the Governments of Member States to support the promotional economic actions undertaken by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in particular, concerning the establishment of direct contacts between private investors and businessmen in the Islamic countries.

11. Calls for the expeditious process of accession to the World Trade Organisation of applying developing countries, including the OIC members, and emphasizes that in this process no political consideration should be invoked which may impede the accession of these countries.

12. Invites Member States to strengthen their consultation and coordination mechanisms, particularly within the WTO, as well as in their relations with regional economic blocs, so as to better protect the individual and collective interests of the Islamic States.

13. 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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