Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed called for the convening of the OIC's first economic summit in 2028, to be held periodically.

He was speaking at the 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul on 2 November 2026.

In line with his strategic vision for developing the OIC, revitalizing Islamic economic cooperation, and establishing more effective strategies to address current challenges, the OIC chief said the proposed summit would lead to an agreement on a common strategic direction and a concrete roadmap for supporting and strengthening the economies of member states.

Cheikh Ahmed emphasized that COMCEC, the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), and other OIC institutions would play pivotal roles in formulating this initiative and driving its implementation. The Secretary-General also affirmed that COMCEC remains the OIC's primary platform for economic and commercial cooperation.

He called for accelerating intra-OIC trade by reducing trade barriers and stressed the need for investment and productive capacity to become fundamental pillars of economic integration in the Islamic world.

Cheikh Ahmed emphasized the importance of giving greater attention to financial cooperation and deepening financial integration to enhance trade, investment, and sustainable development in all member states.

He also called for placing food security and agricultural development at the heart of cooperation among member states, strengthening connectivity as a cornerstone of economic integration within the framework of the OIC, and developing tourism as an important area for economic cooperation.

The Secretary-General praised Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government and the people for their steadfast commitment to the goals of COMCEC and the OIC.