H.E. Ms. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK delivered remarks on behalf of H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim TAHA, Secretary General of the OIC, during the Ministerial Closed Session held within the framework of the 5^th Istanbul International Water Forum with the theme “Strengthening Water Resilience: From Innovation to Action” on 5-6 May 2026. The closed session brought together Ministers responsible for water from various countries to exchange views on strategic priorities for strengthening water security and resilience.

On behalf of the OIC Secretary General, H.E. SELÇUK highlighted the OIC’s ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation among Member States in water resources management. She also recalled the OIC Water Vision, adopted in Istanbul in 2012, as the main framework guiding cooperation among OIC countries through knowledge sharing, capacity building, best practice exchange, and joint action on water security.

H.E. SELÇUK further referred to the five ministerial milestones of the Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Water: Istanbul 2009, Istanbul 2012, Istanbul 2016, Cairo 2018, and Jeddah 2025, which collectively advanced the OIC Water Vision from policy framework to institutional cooperation and impact-oriented action. She also underlined the role of the OIC Water Portal, hosted by SESRIC, as a shared platform for water statistics, publications, success stories, capacity-building activities, and exchange of experience among member countries.

Highlighting that the forthcoming OIC Programme of Action now identifies water resources as an independent priority, she called for its rapid operationalisation through concrete actions: improving water‑use efficiency, especially in agriculture where over 85% of water is consumed; strengthening data, monitoring and institutional capacity; and accelerating the cross‑border exchange of proven solutions. The message further urged Member States to bring a united and constructive voice to the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference and COP31 in Antalya.

The Ministerial Closed Session of the Forum served as a key platform for aligning national and regional efforts towards more resilient and sustainable water systems.

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