H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK participated in a panel discussion organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The event, titled "New Horizons for Poverty Eradication: A Future Pact in the Age of Technology and AI," focused on sustainable strategies to combat poverty, aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the OIC-2025 Programme of Action.

In her address, H.E. SELÇUK emphasized the transformative potential of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in addressing the root causes of poverty, in line with SDG 1 targets. She noted that AI can enhance sectors such as food security through precision agriculture and strengthen social protection systems capable of rapidly responding to crises.

She also shared key findings from SESRIC's 2024 edition of the report “Towards the Achievement of Prioritised Sustainable Development Goals in OIC Countries Report.” According to the findings of the report, the percentage of the population living on less than 2.15 USD per day in OIC countries decreased from 32.3% in 2000 to 11.7% in 2022. Almost half of OIC countries are expected to reach near-zero extreme poverty by 2030. However, in some West and East African OIC countries, more than 30% of the population still lives in extreme poverty.

Furthermore, she underscored the importance of bridging the digital divide, especially in low-income regions. She underlined the need for access to technology and emphasized that for AI-driven solutions to truly contribute to poverty eradication, they must be widely accessible and ethical. She highlighted the "Pact for the Future" as a framework designed to leverage AI and technology in poverty reduction while maintaining global solidarity and ethical standards to mitigate risks such as inequality and bias.

She also highlighted the role of education and digital literacy, especially for the youth. She emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed for the digital economy, which is crucial for driving economic growth and social progress in OIC countries. The youth population in OIC countries is projected to reach 380 million by 2025, representing 30% of the global youth population.

In addition, she presented the Islamic approach to poverty alleviation. She emphasized that Islamic principles such as zakat, sadaqah (charity), and waqf (endowments) offer comprehensive strategies for poverty eradication, addressing both economic and social dimensions. She highlighted how the Islamic concept of zakat, a mandatory tax on wealth (2.5% of the total annual savings), has historically been a powerful tool for poverty relief and economic equity. Furthermore, she underlined the need to revive the institution of waqf, or endowments – which played a significant role in Islamic societies by providing long-term social welfare – and give it the vital importance that it had in the past.

H.E. SELÇUK concluded her address by stressing the need for global partnerships and international collaboration in achieving the SDGs. She stated that together we can address the unique challenges faced by OIC countries by sharing knowledge and combining resources, paving the way for more inclusive and sustainable development.