State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday called upon the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to contribute to the voluntary trust fund established to support The Gambia’s case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the atrocities committed against Rohingyas by Myanmar.

He also urged them to strengthen international efforts for the safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

The state minister made the call while speaking at the 23rd OIC Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Jeddah.

In his statement, Kobir welcomed the newly elected Secretary General of the OIC Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and assured him of Bangladesh’s full support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

He underscored the OIC’s important role as the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in advancing the interests and wellbeing of the Muslim Ummah.

The state minister expressed appreciation for the contributions of the outgoing Secretary General and hoped that the new Secretary General will build upon the positive institutional developments achieved during the previous tenure.

Reiterating Bangladesh’s unequivocal support for the Palestinian cause, he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to a just and lasting solution based on the two-state solution, with an independent and sovereign State of Palestine living alongside Israel in peace and security.

Kobir expressed gratitude to the OIC member states for their support for the election of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA).