The 40-year anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) brings with it many aspirations for the Muslim world and the OIC.

During the past 40 years, the OIC has made great strides in becoming an institutionalized intergovernmental organization serving the Muslim Ummah and taking its rightful place among the influential international organizations in the world. It has expanded in membership; created successful subsidiary, specialized and affiliate organs as well as standing committees; and established itself an effective partner with international organizations in the world scene.

The Third OIC Extraordinary Summit held in December 2005 was a decisive turning point in the contemporary history of the Muslim world. The Summit adopted a Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA), which as a blueprint of transformation, deals with all domains needing reform individually and collectively within the OIC system, in addition to drawing guidelines for the joint Islamic action undertaken in all fields of development and international relations.

The adoption of the new Charter in 2008 was also a critical milestone, giving the OIC a new vision and mission. Among its key priorities is the establishment of a permanent and independent human rights commission and increased and institutionalized capacity in preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution and peacekeeping. It is our sincere hope that with the drive and impetus given by the ongoing reform and development process, the 40th Anniversary of the OIC will mark a launching pad in the history of the Organization towards greater successes and achievements.

Looking forward to the years ahead, there are still many aspirations and goals to be reached. Certainly putting an end to the 60-year old plight of the Palestinian people is at the top of these aspirations. The Palestinian people like any other nation on earth have the right to live in peace and prosperity on their own independent homeland. This is a cause that the OIC would continue to pursue assiduously, and hopefully it could be solved with the renewed vigor brought by the new US Administration.

One of the aspirations and hopes of the Muslim world is to live in peace and mutual respect with other nations and communities; that the kind of insulting, defaming and condescending attitudes towards their religion, culture and way of life, which were on the rise during the past few years, would be halted. Not to be left behind, one of the fundamental aspirations of the Muslim world is to accelerate the process of socio-economic progress and reach a higher position in development. Already there are indicators of some Member States on the right path of development and progress.

We hope that when the OIC celebrates its 50th anniversary, it would have succeeded in reducing illiteracy, poverty and pandemic diseases in the Muslim world. We also hope that the allocation for research and development (R&D) in science and technology in the leading OIC countries would already have passed the threshold of 1% of GDP, and that intratrade among the Member States have been doubled.

In its revamped and re-energized new role and mission and with the growing support of the Member States, the OIC can be in a position to make those aspirations a reality and make the future a better place for all - prosperous, safe and just.