The General Assembly of the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) convened its sixth session today, Monday (January 27, 2025), via video conference, with the participation of representatives from the news agencies of the member states.
The General Assembly began its proceedings with a speech by the Acting Chairman of the Union’s Executive Council, Chairman of the Fifth Session of the General Assembly, and Acting Chairman of the Saudi Press Agency, Mr. Ali Bin Abdullah Al-Zaid. In his speech, he emphasized the commitment of the Union’s host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to supporting the Union. He highlighted the significant developments the Union has witnessed in recent times, whether in terms of reorganizing and restructuring its internal environment or activating its roles and tasks as one of the main media bodies of the OIC.
Al-Zaid stressed that the Union aspires to build on these achievements and to emerge from this meeting with ambitious future agendas. These agendas include organizing international exhibitions and festivals, enhancing media visibility, launching professional awards, and intensifying media support for the Palestinian cause. He pointed out that achieving these noble goals requires the support and solidarity of all, emphasizing the need to view the Union as a shared entity, where every investment made will benefit everyone.
After that, the Republic of Djibouti assumed the presidency of the sixth session of the General Assembly of the Union. The Director General of the Djibouti News Agency and Chairman of the General Assembly, Abdourazak Ali Diraneh, delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the Union is witnessing remarkable development. He reiterated Djibouti’s commitment to working with determination, transparency, and dedication to transform our shared aspirations into practical projects and tangible outcomes.
He explained that the ambitious media projects led by the Union reflect its commitment to strengthening joint media efforts to advocate for the main issues of the Islamic world, with special attention to the Palestinian cause, which remains at the heart of our collective priorities. He stressed that, thanks to the mobilization of our member states and the current active leadership of the Union, we will not only achieve our ambitions but also confront the challenges ahead.
During his speech, His Excellency Minister Ahmed Assaf, the General Supervisor of Official Media in the State of Palestine, commended the efforts made by the Union during the past period. He specifically highlighted the Union’s support for the Palestinian cause and its initiatives and programs in this regard.
For his part, the Director General of the Union, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Bin Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, expressed his gratitude to the member news agencies for their active participation in the work of the General Assembly. He noted that this participation reflects the commitment of our member states to follow up on the Union’s activities, contribute to the formulation of its plans and programs, and provide the necessary support to ensure the implementation of these plans and programs.
Al-Yami also expressed his gratitude to the member states for entrusting him with the responsibility of managing this pivotal body within the framework of joint Islamic action. He extended his thanks to His Excellency the Chairman of the Executive Council and Minister of Media in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Salman bin Yousuf Al-Dossary, for his significant support to the Union, and to the Acting Chairman of the Executive Council and President of the Saudi Press Agency, Mr. Ali Al-Zaid, for his tremendous efforts in overseeing the Union’s work and supporting its management.
During the meeting, the General Assembly approved the Union’s final accounts and planning budget for 2025, the Director General’s report, the memoranda of cooperation and understanding concluded during the past period, as well as the Union’s future plans and programs.
The General Assembly also adopted a number of draft resolutions aimed at strengthening joint Islamic action in the field of media.
The General Assembly also re-elected the members of the Executive Council and the Financial and Administrative Committee of the Union. The new Council was formed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as President, the State of Palestine as Vice President, and the membership of the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of Cameroon, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Financial and Administrative Committee was formed by the Sultanate of Oman as President, and the membership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Libya, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, and the Arab Republic of Egypt.