Over the years, SESRIC has taken the initiative to develop and conduct many capacity-building programmes on a wide range of socio-economic areas of interest to the OIC member countries. As part of its role of serving the member countries in terms of enhancing the capacities of their human resources in the relevant national institutions, SESRIC collaborates with them in the implementation of these programmes along with the relevant OIC and international institutions. The training and capacity building activities of SESRIC are planned in accordance with the needs and capacities of the national institutions of the member countries and are conducted through various modalities, such as training courses, training workshops, webinars and study visits. Furthermore, SESRIC hosts and manages a number of specific thematic Networks and Portals in which it brings together national focal points of relevant national institutions for the purpose of sharing knowledge as well as exchanging expertise and best practices.

The continuous restrictions on international travel during 2021 due to the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for the Centre to implement its training and capacity building activities physically. However, despite all the challenges, the Centre has succeeded to mobilise its resources and undertaken all the necessary steps to conduct its activities virtually. Taking into consideration the need for strengthening intra-OIC collaboration and solidarity, all efforts were exerted towards enhancing cooperation and synergy among the national institutions in the member countries. SESRIC, therefore, continues to conduct its activities virtually through online platforms in order to keep pace with the global solution and keep participants motivated and engaged in its various programmes.

During 2021, SESRIC has successfully conducted (39) virtual training courses and (14) training workshops, (1) study visits in addition to organizing (16) Webinars, (2) Networks Meetings at the OIC level and (2) meetings of the OIC Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom). The Centre’s records show that 56 OIC countries have taken part in the conducted virtual training and capacity building activities during the year 2021 with the involvement of 1621 participants in the training courses, 1226 participants in the training workshops, 124 participants in the Networks Meetings, 86 participants in the OIC Statistical Commission meetings, and 743 participants in the Webinars from various relevant national institutions of the OIC member countries.

Thanks to collective efforts and invaluable contributions of relevant national, OIC, and international institutions, the Centre will continue its efforts towards strengthening the institutional and human capacities in the member countries through its various modalities of South-South Cooperation mechanism.