ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CAPITALS AND CITIES (OICC)
The Organization of Islamic Cities and Capitals (OICC) is an international Islamic non- governmental and non-profit Organization founded in 1400 H. (1980 A.D.S.) as an affiliate member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Its members are capitals of Islamic countries and cities from all over the world. Its Headquarters and General Secretariat offices are located in the Holly City of Makkah and the city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, respectively. The Organization has no political involvement and does not interfere in the affairs of any State. Its activities are focused on the achievement of its goals within the framework of sustainable development of human settlements.
The Organization has 139 capitals and cities, from 54 countries members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference spreading across four continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and South America, as active members. It also has eight member cities, as observers, from six non-OIC countries, and ten Affiliate members from ministries, commissions, organization s, universities, institutes, research and cultural centers from Islamic and non-Islamic countries engaged in the activities and goals of the Organization.
The financial sources of the organization include members’ subscription and donations of member cities, individuals, organizations, municipalities, and governments, as well as organization ’s investment.
Goals:
The Goals of the Organization are focused on:
1. The consolidation of cordiality, brotherhood, and friendship between Islamic capitals and cities.
2. The preservation of the identity and the heritage of Islamic capitals and cities.
3. The support, coordination and expansion of cooperation between Islamic capitals and cities.
4. The endeavor to establish and develop comprehensive urban norms, systems, and plans that would serve the growth and prosperity of Islamic capitals and cities for the promotion of their economic, social, cultural and environmental levels.
5. The endeavor to promote the levels of development, services and municipal utilities in Islamic capitals and cities.
6. The promotion and development of capacity building programs in Islamic capitals and cities.
Means of Realization of Goals:
The means of realization of the Organization’s goals are focused on the following:
1. The organization of seminars, academic symposia, conventions and international exhibitions on problems and issues that concern the capitals and cities of the Islamic world, and the suggestion of appropriate solutions.
2. Undertaking of analytical studies of Islamic capitals and cities that abound in Islamic architectural and urban heritage, in order to deduce fundamental architectural and urban planning principles of different Islamic eras.
3. Bestowing prizes to specialists in the Islamic world.
4. Publishing of the Islamic Capitals and Cities Journal.
5. Development of an information system project for the Islamic capitals and cities.
6. Financing of municipal and environmental services, research, training, and heritage protection projects, and technical cooperation programs in the municipalities of the Islamic world through the Organization ’s Cooperation Fund.
7. Promotion and revitalization of technical and technological cooperation programs.
8. Promotion and reinvigoration of regional and international relations with the Organization’s member capitals and cities.
9. Exchange of visits, researches, studies, expertise and scholarships between Islamic capitals and cities.
10. Holding of technical exhibitions.
Activities:
a) International Conferences and Seminars:
The Organization holds a series of international conferences and seminars, in participation with the United Nations agencies and the international and regional organizations, to address scientific subjects specific to municipal affairs stated below which deal with major problems that the Organization ’s member cities are suffering from. This is to identify and set the principles and means to achieve human settlements sustainable development of Islamic cities. The Organization has held the following conferences and seminars:
1. Housing in the Islamic city.
2. Cleanliness within the framework of the Environment Protection.
3. The local administration and Municipalities Systems.
4. Road Safety and Traffic Accident Reduction.
5. The New Fundamentals of Naming and Numbering Streets and Districts.
6. The Islamic methodology in the Architectural and Urban Design.
7. Systems of Geographic Information Systems, City Sustainability, and Environment.
8. The Fundamentals and Criteria of Classification of Islamic Heritage of Buildings and Cities, and the Methods of their Preservation.
9. The Implementation Follow-up of HABITAT Agenda in Islamic Cities.
These activities are documented by different means of publication.
2. Analytical Studies:
The Organization undertakes a series of analytical studies on Islamic architecture, so that it constitutes a precise scientific reference of principles of architectural and urban design of the consecutive Islamic eras in cities that abound in architectural and urban Islamic heritage. The objective of such undertakings is in order to place this reference at the disposition of universities, specialized institutions, ministries of information and education, scientific universities, unions and municipalities all over the Islamic world, with the aim to strive for reviving our architectural heritage in accordance with the Islamic law (Sharia), and fulfilling the needs of the daily Islamic life.
The Organization has started this study series with an analytical study of the capital Cairo that was printed in three languages: Arabic, English and French. Another ongoing study is on the capital of Sinn’s. Moreover, the Organization intends to continue this set of analytic studies on Damascus, Baghdad, Islamboul, Fas, Tunis, Asfahan, Lahour, and Bukhara. These analytic studies will be a preamble until they include all capitals of the Islamic world.
3. Awards of the Organization :
The Organization bestows periodic awards every three years in recognition of outstanding achievements in the domains of writing, accomplishments, translation, and projects in the fields of architecture, urban planning, environment, services, organization and municipal legislation. These rewards aim at encouraging municipalities and local authorities and individuals to contribute effectively to the achievement of sustainable urban development and the preservation of the heritage and the identity of Islamic cities.
These Awards are presented at the opening ceremony of the Organization General Conferences.
4. Islamic Capitals and Cities Journal:
The Organization publishes its official bi-annual journal at the Holly City of Makkah. The Journal is concerned with sustainable development affairs of Islamic capitals and cities, among which are the affairs of planning and architecture, public services, housing, urban transportation, environment, health and safety, administration and maintenance systems, preservation of the Islamic heritage, and international cooperation.
5. Islamic Capitals and Cities Information Systems:
The organization has been selected by the Islamic Development Bank to be as a regional center for the information network of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference. This has qualified the Organization to develop and exchange data bases relative to the services and projects of Islamic capitals and cities. The Organization has started to set out the basic guidelines for the design and implementation of an advanced information system in coordination with the Islamic Development Bank and some international organizations, including the United Nations.
6. Islamic Capitals and Cities Cooperation Fund:
In realization of the concept of Islamic solidarity, a special cooperation fund for Islamic capitals and cities has been established at the headquarters of the Organization’s General Secretariat in order to ensure assistance and charitable loans for Islamic capitals and cities.
7. Technical and Technological Cooperation Program:
Stemming from the Organization’s belief in the importance of technical cooperation and the exchange of modern technologies between Islamic capitals and cities, as an effective means for the achievement of sustainable development, a program for technical and technological cooperation has been established within the framework of the Islamic Capitals and Cities Cooperation Fund. The program’s objectives are to offer the opportunity for the development and exchange of expertise, information, research, and studies, as well as the mobilization of the required technical and administrative capacities. These objectives would be achieved by promoting the technical and administrative cooperation between Islamic municipalities in order to build their developmental capacities and to achieve their economic, social, and environmental objectives.
The program’s activities comprise the assignment of experts and specialists to undertake training missions.
8. Regional and International Activities:
The Organization has long sought to promote its global status as an international organization striving for the realization of sustainable development for its members of Islamic capitals and cities, through the support of its regional and international activities with the various United Nations agencies as well as regional and international Organizations as follows:
8.1. Consultative Status:
1. Consultative Status of general relationship with the United Nations Economic And Social Council. (UN-ECOSOC).
2. Consultative Status with the United Nations International Child Emergency Funds (UNICEF).
3. Consultative Status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
4. Consultative Status with the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN-DPI).
8.2. Membership in International Organizations:
1. International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).
2. International Union for Local Authorities (IULA).
3. World Association of Councils for Local Authorities and Cities (WACLAC).
4. Member of the ICLEI’s Executive Committee.
5. Member of IULA’s Executive Committee.
6. The Euro-Arab Cooperation Center (V.E.A).
The Organization has also strengthened its international relationships with international organizations and agencies shown hereunder through acceding to and exchanging membership therein as observer:
1. Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
2. Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
3. Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
4. Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA).
5. Statistical Economic, and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC).
6. Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) of the League of Arab States.
7. Organization of Islamic Shipowners Association.
8. Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
8.3. Agreements of Friendship and Cooperation:
The Organization of Islamic capitals and cities has been keen to promote mutual international cooperation relationships, which has drove it to enter into friendship and cooperation agreements with the following institutions and organizations of common interest:
1. Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
2. Arab Towns Organization (ATO).
3. United Towns Organization (UTO).
4. International Union for Local Authorities (IULA).
5. International Association of Metropolis (METROPOLIS).
6. African Towns Union (ATU).
7. International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)
The aforementioned agreements aim at the following:
1. Exchanging expertise between the Organization ’s member capitals and cities and the aforementioned in the domains of planning and housing, city and public facilities management, the protection of the environment as well as other important domains that could contribute to the realization of Islamic human settlements sustainable development.
2. Expanding the scope of cooperation and strengthening the relationships between the aforementioned institutions on one hand and the Organization ’s member capitals.
3. Facilitating the means of communication and cooperation between institutions and organizations concerned with the affairs of human settlements, and the OICC.
4. Exchanging visits, experts, and information and organizing training courses, symposia, and scientific conferences.
5. Conducting studies, formulating and implementing developmental projects for Islamic capitals and cities.
9. Exchange of visits and research:
The Organization prepares visit exchange programs for municipal and local authorities in the capitals and cities of the Islamic world. The programs’ objective is to widen knowledge of, and familiarization with other’s experiences in various municipal domains, among which are the organizational administration structures in order to benefit from successful experiences to counteract administrative, organizational, environmental, and developmental problems and difficulties.
10. Holding of technical exhibitions:
The Organization is keen on holding technical exhibitions that display its projects all over the Islamic world and the special achievements of Islamic municipalities as well as the winning projects of different Awards organised by the Organization.
Organs:
The Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities is composed of the four following organs:
The General Conference, Administrative Council, General Secretariat, and the Cooperation Fund of Islamic Capitals and Cities.
a) The General Conference:
It is the supreme authority of the Organization that sets its general policy in accordance with its objectives and orientations. The General Conference ratifies Constitution and Regulations of the Organization’s bodies and activities, and issues recommendations to the members pertaining to local government and development.
The General Conference is composed of the active members who are the representatives of member capitals and cities. It convenes in an ordinary session once every three years and is chaired by the mayor or the head of the municipality of the city, or their representative, in which the Conference is held.
b) The Administrative Council:
It is the Organization’s executive body. It convenes annually in an ordinary session and undertakes the following:
a. Follow-up of the implementation of the General Conference’s recommendations.
b. Establishes plans and programs in order to realize the objectives of the Organization to be adopted by the General Conference.
c. Undertakes the functions of the Cooperation Fund’s Board of Directors.
d. The Administrative Council comprises members representing:
e. Makkah Al-Mukkarramah, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (permanent members).
f. Twenty-one capitals and cities of the active members elected by the General Conference every three years.
g. An Organization’s member capital or city, not a member of the Administrative Council, if decided to host the next General conference or Administrative Council and its membership shall be limited to that Council Session.
h. The Secretary General of the Organization.
c) The General Secretariat:
It is the Organization’s executive body that manages the administration and implementation of the technical, administrative, and financial works. It is presided by a Secretary General elected by the General Conference for a renewable three- year term. The Secretary General or his proxy represents the Organization at international commissions and organizations, conferences, symposia, and seminars. The General Secretariat prepares the Organization’s activities reports and budget, and presents them to the General Conference and the Administrative Council.
d) Islamic Capitals and Cities Cooperation Fund:
This fund was established to provide a financial mechanism that contributes to the fulfillment of the Organization ’s objectives. The Fund’s objectives focus on the support of:
a. Sustainable development projects of Islamic capitals and cities municipalities aiming at the promotion of public services’ standards, municipal facilities, and the protection of the environment.
b. Works pertaining to the protection and maintenance of Islamic heritage landmarks.
c. Scientific and technical research in all domains relative to municipalities, and the promotion of application means.
d. Programs and projects for the establishment and development of capacity building centers concerned with the development of skill and the appropriate technologies needed for member cities, including local authorities affair, maintenance management systems, environment and Heritage protection, urban transportation issues, and services maintenance.
The fulfillment of the aforementioned objectives shall be through the provision of assistance and charitable loans to the Islamic capitals and cities, which are members of the Organization.
Fund’s Resources:
The Cooperation Fund obtains its resources from the following sources:
a. An annual subscription fee of the Organization’s member equal to half of his subscription fee for the Organization.
b. Incoming contributions through the Organization of the Islamic Conference for the implementation of proposed projects.
c. Direct contributions from governments, institutions, and individuals.
d. Funds or in-kind donations dedicated to the Fund’s objectives and invested in appropriate domains, provided that investment’s profits shall be spent on the implementation of the Fund’s objectives.
Membership:
Organization’s membership is divided as follows:
a. Active members.
b. Observer members.
c. Affiliated member.
Membership of the Organization is open for:
a. Capitals and cities of the Organization of Islamic Conference’s member countries, as Active members.
b. Capitals and cities of countries that are not members of the Organization of Islamic Conference, as Observer members.
c. Islamic ministries, commissions, organizations, universities, institutions, research centers, cultural centers, and individuals as Affiliated members.
Membership Categories are as follows:
a) Active Members:
These are the founding Islamic capitals of 1400 H. (1980 A.D), as well as Islamic capitals and cities of the Organization of Islamic Conference member countries whose membership is endorsed by the Administrative Council or the General Conference of the Organization. They are required to comply with the Organization ’s constitution and regulations, support its objectives, and pay the pre-determined annual membership dues. An Active member has the right for candidacy to Administrative Council membership, to attend meetings of the General Conference and the Administrative Council, and the right to vote and participate in the Organization’s operations, activities, and its various committees. Moreover, an Active member enjoys all privileges and information provided by the Organization for its members.
b) Observer Members:
These are the capitals and cities of countries that are not members of the Organization of Islamic Conference, and whose membership is accepted by either the Administrative Council or The General Conference. They are required to comply with the Organization ’s constitution and regulations, support its objectives, and pay the pre-determined annual membership dues. An Observer member does not hold the right to candidacy for the membership of the Administrative Council, but has the right to attend meetings of the General Conference without the right to vote. An Observer member could participate in the Organization’s operations, activities, and its various committees, if requested by the Organization; and enjoy all privileges and information provided by the Organization for its members.
c) Affiliate Members:
These are Islamic ministries, commissions, organization s, universities, institutes, research and cultural centers as well as individuals, establishments, public and private sectors corporations, and associations of public benefit concerned with, and relevant to the Organization’s objectives and activities. Their membership is subject to the acceptance of the Administrative Council or of the General Conference. They are required to comply with the Organization’s constitution and regulations, support its objectives, and pay the pre-determined annual membership dues. An Affiliate member does not hold the right to candidacy for the membership of the Administrative Council, but has the right to attend meetings of the General Conference without the right to vote. An Observer member could participate in the Organization’s operations, activities, and its various committees, if requested by the Organization; and enjoy all privileges and information provided by the Organization for its members.
Means of Communication
Headquarters Makkah Al-Mukkaramah
P.O. Box: 2919 Makkah Al-Mukkaramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: 00966 2 550 5195
Fax: 00966 2 550 5095
E-mail: oiccorg@icc.net.sa
Headquarters Jeddah
P.O. Box: 13621 Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: 00966 2 698 1953
Fax: 00966 2 698 1053
E-mail: oiccorg@icc.net.sa
18 Amin Sami St., from Kasr El-Ainy Palace street- Zein Al-Abedeen, Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt
Telephone: 0020 2 796 2922
Fax: 0020 2 796 2922
E-mail: oicc@online.com.eg