It is a pleasure to convey my best wishes to the leaders who have gathered for the 13th Islamic Summit Conference.  I thank Turkey for hosting this gathering, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for being a strong partner of the United Nations.

Together, we are addressing a range of crises while working together to lay the foundation for a future of peace, development and human rights for all.

OIC Member States – including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey – continue to show admirable hospitality to millions of Syrian refugees.

In an effort to provide greater support to the communities assisting people in dire need, the United Nations, the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank are advancing a new financing mechanism for the Middle East and North Africa region.

I urge you to strongly support this effort.  The United Nations will also count on your active participation at the World Humanitarian Summit, to be held on May 23rd and 24th in Istanbul, and at the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the United Nations on September 19th.

In Syria, the cessation of hostilities has now held, by and large, for more than a month.  This has given us greater humanitarian access and opened up space for diplomacy.  I urge the parties to engage in good faith at the talks that resumed yesterday.

In Yemen, where civilians have borne the brunt of Coalition aerial attacks and ground fighting,
I urge all parties to fully respect the cessation of hostilities that began on April 10th .  Peace talks are expected to begin on April 18th in Kuwait.  I am grateful to the Emir for providing a venue for the talks, and I call on all parties to do their part to return Yemen to peace.

The establishment of an independent, viable and democratic State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Israel is long overdue. Yet realities on the ground – including illegal settlement activities and confiscation of Palestinian land, and a lack of progress towards intra-Palestinian unity -- are imperilling the two-state solution.

The current spiral of violence cannot be reversed by security means alone. It must be addressed at the political level, with leaders showing a horizon to their people.
We must also comprehensively address the chronic problems facing Gaza.  This includes a lifting of all closures to allow for legitimate movement of people and trade.  It also necessitates donors disbursing their pledges from the 2014 Cairo Conference.

In Myanmar, the elections were a milestone in the country’s transition to democracy.  The United Nations remains engaged in the Government’s reform, peace and reconciliation efforts.

This new phase in Myanmar’s history presents a vital opportunity to build a genuinely multi-ethnic and stable democracy in the country, including by addressing the issue of citizenship for the Rohingya.

In the Central African Republic, the recent inauguration of a new, democratically elected President marked the end of the transition period.  The interventions of the international community helped save the country from an unspeakable fate, but more needs to be done to address the dire humanitarian situation and to create an environment conducive to the voluntary and safe return of refugees and internally displaced people.

Across the world, violent extremism, anti-Muslim bigotry, anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance remain a serious threat to peace.  Good governance, respect for human rights and political strategies are central to sustainable solutions

Religious leaders, women leaders, youth groups, leaders in the arts, music and sports, as well as the media and private sector, all have a role to play in building bridges and speaking out against hatred.

This past January, I presented to the General Assembly a comprehensive Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.

As we work together to address the drivers of the phenomenon, let us recognize that while our discussions may draw on examples such as Daesh or Boko Haram, violent extremism is not rooted or confined to any religion, region, nationality or ethnic group.  Indeed, the vast majority of victims worldwide are Muslim.  Let us also remember that the aim of violent extremists is to provoke an over-reaction and to divide communities.

Let us therefore stand united in our response.  I appreciate the OIC’s support for the Plan, as the General Assembly prepares to consider the Plan in the context of the fifth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in June.

As our two Organizations prepare for the general cooperation meeting next month, I am confident our strengthened ties will strengthen peace and promote a life of dignity for all.

Please accept my best wishes for a successful meeting.