Islamabad to Host 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women
Around 190 delegates from 57 member states will discuss women’s economic inclusion, political participation and access to technology during the July 12–13 conference.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host the ninth session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad on Sunday and Monday, bringing together ministers, policymakers and delegates from across the Muslim world.
The two-day conference is scheduled to take place on July 12 and 13, 2026, at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. The meeting is officially listed in the OIC’s 2026 calendar, while Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights has also confirmed the dates of the ministerial gathering.
Around 190 delegates representing the OIC’s 57 member states are expected to participate in the conference. Participants will include ministers responsible for women’s affairs, senior government officials, representatives of the OIC Secretariat, observers and prominent women personalities.
The conference is expected to review progress made by member countries in advancing women’s rights and empowerment, while also providing governments with an opportunity to share national policies, experiences and institutional approaches.
According to information reported by state-run Radio Pakistan, the meeting aims to develop a common approach for creating an enabling environment in which women across OIC countries can fully realise their potential and contribute to social and economic development.
Delegates will deliberate on measures to increase women’s political and professional participation and improve their access to economic resources, employment opportunities and formal financial systems.
Technology and digital participation are also expected to feature prominently in the discussions. The conference will consider ways to reduce gender disparities in access to digital technologies, online platforms, professional training and emerging economic opportunities.
The gathering comes amid growing international debate over the barriers women continue to face in education, employment, entrepreneurship, political representation and access to technology.
Previous OIC ministerial conferences on women have addressed issues including economic empowerment, gender-based violence, education, health care, legal protection and women’s participation in public life.
The last ministerial conference was held in Cairo in 2021, where member countries discussed women’s empowerment, protection frameworks and greater socio-economic participation.
Pakistan has been coordinating preparations for the Islamabad conference with the OIC Secretariat. An OIC delegation led by Ambassador Tariq Bakheet earlier held discussions with Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, while a technical arrangement was signed to formalise administrative and operational coordination.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has also chaired meetings to review logistical arrangements and thematic priorities for the conference.
Pakistan is a founding member of the OIC, which comprises 57 states and describes itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world. The organisation promotes cooperation among member countries in political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and humanitarian fields.
The Islamabad conference is expected to conclude with recommendations or an agreed framework aimed at strengthening cooperation among OIC countries on women’s empowerment, economic participation and digital inclusion.
