Jeddah (UNA) – With the attendance and participation of a number of consuls, permanent representatives, and directors of news agencies from the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as human rights stakeholders from various organizations and institutions, the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) organized today, Tuesday, 6 January 2026, a virtual introductory meeting on the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC. During the meeting, the Executive Director of the Commission, Dr. Hadi bin Ali Al-Yami, delivered a presentation on the Commission, before announcing the launch of the “Jeddah Declaration 2025 on Youth Empowerment, Development and Peace.”
The meeting was inaugurated by Mr. Mohammed bin Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, Director General of the Union of OIC News Agencies, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the role of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission and its commitment, since Dr. Hadi bin Ali Al-Yami assumed its executive leadership, to strengthening its media engagement. He noted that the Commission demonstrated strong attention to the media during the proceedings of its Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session, held under the theme “Youth Development in OIC Member States: Challenges and Opportunities from a Human Rights Perspective,” by dedicating two sessions to discussing the role of the media in protecting human rights in general, and youth rights in particular.
Mr.Al-Yami explained that this meeting builds on the outcomes of the Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session and contributes to introducing one of its most prominent outcomes, namely the “Jeddah Declaration 2025 on Youth Empowerment, Development and Peace,” which constitutes a comprehensive and inclusive framework for shaping youth-related policies in OIC Member States.
For his part, Dr. Hadi Al-Yami expressed his appreciation to UNA for organizing the meeting and for its continued support to the Commission, reaffirming the importance of the partnership between the two sides. He then introduced the Commission as the OIC’s independent human rights mechanism and the institutional arm mandated to promote and protect human rights in its Member States, outlining its role, key functions, and objectives.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Yami also highlighted the Commission’s aspirations for the next phase and its future vision, through which it seeks to enhance its institutional impact and move from a primarily consultative role toward consolidating sustainable and effective action.
Dr. Al-Yami announced the launch of the “Jeddah Declaration 2025 on Youth Empowerment, Development and Peace,” emphasizing that youth empowerment is no longer an option, but rather a human rights, developmental, and security necessity. From this perspective, the Commission moves from diagnosis to commitment, and from dialogue to declaration.
He explained that the Jeddah Declaration 2025 is a foundational and guiding document that reflects a collective vision of OIC Member States and affirms that youth are partners in peace, drivers of development, and bearers of both rights and responsibilities. He added that the Declaration seeks to link human rights with the youth, development, and peace agenda, aligns with the priorities and national visions of Member States, and opens the door to practical initiatives and future partnerships.
