During the 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced economic cooperation among OIC member states. This call comes amid significant geopolitical shifts impacting global trade flows and supply chains.
Representing UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al Zeyoudi highlighted the potential for deeper trade integration, noting that the OIC’s collective economic power, with a combined GDP of approximately $10 trillion across 57 member states, presents substantial opportunities for intra-organization trade. He stated, “The UAE is committed to elevating economic, trade, and investment cooperation with OIC member states into effective, sustainable strategic partnerships that foster integration and support shared prosperity.”
Strategic Initiatives for Trade Enhancement
Al Zeyoudi outlined several strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering trade and investment cooperation. He advocated for the development of trade finance instruments and the activation of a trade preferential system to facilitate smoother transactions among member states. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of leveraging advanced technology to enhance exports and improve the competitiveness of OIC economies.
According to the minister, OIC member states accounted for about 10% of global GDP, with commodity exports projected to reach approximately $2.7 trillion by 2025. Notably, intra-organization trade is expected to comprise around $650 billion, or 24%, of total exports. Al Zeyoudi emphasized that expanding trade and logistics networks, along with accelerating digital transformation, is crucial for enhancing intra-organization trade flows.
UAE’s Trade Performance with OIC States
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with OIC member states has shown significant growth, reaching approximately $358.1 billion in 2025, which accounted for 35% of its total non-oil foreign trade. In the first half of 2026, this figure surged to $194.8 billion, reflecting a 20.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth underscores the UAE’s pivotal role in fostering economic ties within the OIC framework.
Al Zeyoudi also pointed to the UAE’s successful experience in establishing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) as a model for promoting rules-based trade openness, expanding market access, and increasing investment flows. He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting OIC-led initiatives and collaborating on major economic projects that benefit member states.
As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, the UAE’s proactive stance on enhancing cooperation with OIC member states reflects its strategic vision for fostering sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity across the region.
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