Union Of OIC News Agencies Conducts Sixth Session Under Djibouti's Presidency

The Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA-OIC) held its sixth general assembly session on Monday via video conference. Representatives from member-state news agencies attended the meeting. Ali bin Abdullah Alzaid, acting president of the UNA executive council and chairman of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), opened the session with remarks highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting the union.

Alzaid noted recent improvements in the union's internal structure and its role as a key media entity within the OIC. He expressed hopes for ambitious future agendas, including organizing international exhibitions and festivals, enhancing media visibility, launching professional awards, and intensifying support for the Palestinian cause. He emphasized that achieving these goals requires collective support and solidarity.

Following Alzaid's remarks, Djibouti assumed the presidency of the sixth session. Abdourazak Ali Diraneh, Director-General of Agence Djiboutienne d'Information (ADI) and chairman of the union’s general assembly during this session, delivered a speech. He affirmed Djibouti’s commitment to work with determination and transparency to transform shared aspirations into tangible results and actual projects.

Palestinian Minister Ahmed Assaf, who supervises official Palestinian media, expressed gratitude for UNA's efforts. He particularly appreciated its support for the Palestinian cause and various initiatives launched in this regard. His acknowledgment highlighted UNA's ongoing dedication to important regional issues.

During the meeting, members approved several key documents. These included the union's final accounts and budget plan for 2025, along with the director-general's report. Additionally, various recently signed memoranda of cooperation were endorsed by attendees. These approvals signify progress in strengthening joint Islamic initiatives in media.

UNA Director-General Mohammed bin Abdrabuh Al-Yami thanked member news agencies for their active participation in the session. He underscored that their involvement demonstrates a strong commitment to UNA's work, contributing significantly to planning and implementation efforts within the union.

The general assembly also approved several draft resolutions aimed at enhancing joint Islamic initiatives in the media sector. This move is expected to foster greater collaboration among member states in addressing shared challenges and opportunities within media landscapes.

The session concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among participants. The focus remains on advancing collaborative efforts across member states to achieve common objectives in media development and representation.

With inputs from SPA