Turkish aid agency, OIC sign memorandum of understanding

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to advance and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in the field of development and humanitarian assistance for OIC member countries.

It "aims to combine the knowledge, expertise and communication networks of the institutions in their respective fields," TIKA said in a statement.

The statement said the memorandum also comprises goals, such as poverty reduction and more effective assistance to disaster-hit communities.

The document includes "the provision of technical and development assistance to public institutions in implementing social and economic programs, and the organization of capacity building trainings for OIC staff and staff of relevant institutions of OIC Member States," it noted.

President of TIKA Serkan Kayalar said at the signing ceremony that "the cooperation between TIKA and OIC will be further strengthened with the signing of this memorandum of understanding."

OIC Secretary General Hussein Ibrahim Taha noted that TIKA's activities across the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are followed with great interest by the parties, and said he hopes the agreement would be beneficial.