Jeddah : Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The Islamic Development Bank hosted the second meeting of IDB 1440H Vision Commission at IDB headquarters in Jeddah on 19-20 December 2005, under the chairmanship of H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammed, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, and with the participation of H.E. Prof. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, former President of Indonesia, and Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali, IDB President.

The two-day meeting discussed the final document on the IDB's Vision and future role up to 1440H (2020G) and its implementation tools under the light of the four workshops which were held in the last few months in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Eastern Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan for Central Asia, Dubai, UAE for MENA, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for Africa.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali, IDB President extended his thanks to H.E. the Chairman and members of the Commission for the persistent efforts they have exerted in the last few months which resulted in that " noble document" and lucid vision that will underlie the Bank's inspirations up to 1440H.

“This Vision Document has coincided with the momentous resolutions issued during the last Islamic Summit in Makkah which accentuated IDB role and called for promoting its tools and enhancing its cooperation programs," he added.

Sheikh Saleh Kamil the Member of the Commission, President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) and President of Dallah Albaraka Group delivered a presentation on the importance of establishing an Islamic international corporation for Zakat under the umbrella of the IDB to serve as a pool for receiving all Zakat revenues and disburse the huge income to alleviate poverty in Islamic World, and at the same time, prevent these revenues from diversion to undesired directions.

H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammed, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, who chaired the meeting, announced that the Commission has concluded work on the suggested work plan which addresses the IDB challenges and roles up to the year 1440H (2020G). He pointed out the great challenges facing the Islamic Nations including economic challenges which necessitate practical and urgent actions to encounter and overcome the existing challenges.

He extended his thanks to the IDB for addressing the development needs of member countries, and wished the Bank and its employees all the best and more success to better serve our Islamic Nations.