The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was represented by Dr Alhagi Manta Drammeh, Director of the International Cooperation and External Relations Division, in the seminar held to mark the International Day of Zero Waste, adopted by the United Nations. The event took place on Sunday, 17 Shawwal 1447 AH, corresponding to 5 April 2026, and was organised in cooperation between the OIC and the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Türkiye to the Organization.
The seminar opened with a welcoming address by H.E. Ambassador Aftab Khokhar, Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology at the OIC, who emphasised the importance of this event in strengthening international efforts to reduce waste and address its environmental impacts. Several distinguished officials also delivered remarks highlighting the need to intensify international and regional efforts to address waste-related environmental challenges and to enhance community awareness of the importance of environmental preservation.
In his intervention, Dr Drammeh stressed the importance of the societal and religious dimensions in supporting waste‑reduction initiatives. He explained that religious institutions play a central role in guiding the behavior of individuals and communities, raising environmental awareness, and reinforcing values of responsibility toward natural resources. He also noted that Islamic law has established an integrated system of values that calls for moderation and balance, prohibits wastefulness, and encourages the preservation of resources and the protection of the environment. He reviewed several relevant Academy resolutions, including Resolution No. (234 (5/24)) and Resolution No. (185 (11/19)), both of which emphasise the importance of achieving food security and adopting policies that promote the rational and sustainable use of resources, while underscoring the priority of water and food issues in Islamic countries.
This participation is part of the Academy’s commitment to contributing effectively to international environmental issues and to strengthening its presence in regional and international forums, in line with its mission to clarify the rulings of Islamic law and highlight its role in addressing contemporary issues.