The SESRIC delegation, led by H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, participated in the Third Meeting of the OIC Intergovernmental Expert Group held at the OIC General Secretariat Headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 17-20 November 2025 to discuss the draft Programme of Action for the decade 2026-2035.

Dr. Ahmet ÖZTÜRK, Coordinator of the Data and Information Section at SESRIC, presented key findings from SESRIC’s recent reports “Implementation Status of the OIC-2025 Programme of Action by Member Countries 2024” and “Final Report on the Implementation Status of the OIC-2025 Programme of Action”.

The presentation highlighted challenges in data collection and overall progress of the Programme, noting that notable gains are seen in reducing extreme poverty, expanding social protection, and improving access to basic and financial services. Economic areas such as intra-OIC trade and Islamic finance have also advanced. Improvements are also observed in energy access, education, immunization, and health worker density. Additionally, gradual improvements in women’s leadership have been observed.

However, the presentation highlighted that substantial gaps remain. Issues such as undernourishment, income inequality, and environmental pressures, especially CO₂ emissions, air quality, and resource efficiency, continue to pose serious challenges. Industrial and economic transformation is progressing slowly, reflected in weak performance in industry’s employment/GDP share, high-tech manufacturing, and intra-OIC tourism. Labour-market challenges also persist, with unequal access to employment and a high rate of youth NEET, highlighting areas requiring intensified policy efforts.

SESRIC remains committed to supporting OIC Member Countries through continuous assessment and reporting efforts, ensuring that all necessary data and analysis are available for decision-makers to guide future development strategies.