Blinken meets OIC head in Washington

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Wednesday with the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, on the sidelines of the inaugural US-OIC Strategic Dialogue, according to the State Department.

"Secretary Blinken thanked Secretary General Taha for the OIC’s sustained efforts on issues of global priority, including Afghanistan and countering violent extremism," spokesman Ned Price said in a statement about the meeting in Washington. "The Secretary underscored the importance of the OIC’s role as a valued partner in deescalating conflicts and working to protect human rights."

"The Secretary reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to expanding collaboration with the OIC to advance joint priorities, including women’s empowerment, minority rights, religious freedom, climate change, health issues, strengthening economic ties, and expanding educational and cultural exchanges," he added.