On February 16, an official credential presentation ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. Muhammetgeldi Ayazov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Saudi Arabia, officially assumed his duties as Permanent Representative to the Organisation.

Receiving the credentials, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha emphasised Turkmenistan’s special role in the Islamic world. According to him, the policy of permanent neutrality pursued by Ashgabat serves today as an effective instrument for strengthening peace and trust not only within the region but across the entire Organisation.

For Turkmenistan, the OIC — uniting 57 countries — is a key platform for promoting humanitarian and peacebuilding initiatives.

As the Permanent Representative noted, Turkmenistan intends to expand its contribution to the Organisation’s activities, particularly in the fields of culture, education and economic cooperation.

The OIC highly values Turkmenistan’s experience in preventive diplomacy, which is especially relevant in the current international context.

The Secretary-General expressed confidence that the work of the Permanent Representative would give new momentum to dialogue between the Organisation and Turkmenistan, which has long remained a reliable and active member of the Islamic community.