BAKU. TurkicWorld:

The European Commission and the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have agreed to regularly exchange views, develop dialogue, cooperate in areas of common interest and promote mutual understanding, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2015.

Today, facing an outburst of humanitarian crises and needs worldwide, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (ICHAD) of the OIC and the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) of the European Commission affirm their intention to strengthen cooperation in the humanitarian and relief field, in accordance with their respective missions and applicable legal frameworks.

The two humanitarian institutions commit to actively explore ways and means to increase their dialogue and to enhance their cooperation on key humanitarian policy areas and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Rohingyas crisis and the Middle East.

DG ECHO and ICHAD intend to:

• Establish a space for regular consultations to
(i) share expertise and knowledge on humanitarian assistance in areas of common interest;

(ii) strengthen capacities to better prepare and respond to disasters and risk management.

• Identify opportunities for
(i) bilateral cooperation to strengthen the respect for International Humanitarian Law;

(ii) enhanced coordination and joint activities in areas of common strategic priority to increase efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian aid delivery;

(iii) joint advocacy on humanitarian issues of mutual concern.

• Support effective and principled humanitarian action through joint initiatives aiming at
(i) strengthening the international humanitarian coordination system;

(ii) developing humanitarian policy.