Organization of the Islamic Conference

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), association of 57 Arab member states and 3 observer states established to promote Islamic solidarity between its members and to further economic, social, cultural, and scientific cooperation. The OIC was founded in 1971 and its supreme body is the conference of the heads of state, which meets every three years. It is briefed by the conference of foreign ministers, which meets annually to prepare reports and to discuss ways of implementing policy. The administrative headquarters of the OIC are the general secretariat, based in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. Its functions include providing assistance to the organization's many subsidiary and specialized bodies, such as the Islamic Centre for Development and Trade and the Islamic Development Bank.

Among the main political priorities of the OIC are Palestine, Afghanistan, Muslim minorities, African Liberation Movements, and human rights. One of its main economic objectives is to establish an Islamic common market, which would enhance cooperation between member states and improve their collective bargaining position with the rest of the world. Social objectives include building and equipping more schools, establishing more universities, and supporting health and welfare organizations.