KEY POINTS
- Muslim leaders at UN meeting urged ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages, and aid access.
- Joint Arab League–OIC statement rejected forced displacement and called for return of displaced Palestinians.
- Leaders discussed Gaza reconstruction plan with international support, security guarantees, and political backing.
- Summit co-hosted by US President Trump and Qatar’s Amir brought together leaders from Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
NEW YORK: Leaders from Muslim-majority countries warned of an “unbearable” humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a high-level meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, calling for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and unimpeded aid access.
According to a joint statement issued after a meeting of Leaders of Members of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Muslim leaders reiterated the common position rejecting forced displacement and the need to allow the return of those who left.
The leaders emphasised the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid as the essential first steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace.
Joint Statement by the Leaders of Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation Participating in the Multilateral Summit with the President of the United States of America, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 -New York https://t.co/2itK3uyMF3 pic.twitter.com/2csYcbtxRO
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 24, 2025
Strong regional consensus
The statement said the Arab and OIC leaders expressed appreciation for President Trump’s leadership in convening the meeting, and underscored the need for American engagement in resolving the crisis.
The participants also agreed on the importance of stabilising the West Bank and safeguarding Jerusalem’s holy sites, while supporting reforms within the Palestinian Authority to better serve the needs of its people.
Path forward: reconstruction and cooperation
A key element of the discussions focused on developing a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, built on the existing Arab and OIC framework, the statement said.
This would include international assistance, security guarantees, and political support for the Palestinian leadership to ensure long-term sustainability and peace.
Participants emphasised that this summit should serve as the starting point for a broader political process aimed at regional cooperation and a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“This meeting marks a turning point,” one participant noted. “It’s not just about ending a war—it’s about building a future.”
The high-level dialogue reflected a rare convergence of political will among Muslim-majority countries and the United States to jointly address the Gaza crisis through diplomacy, reconstruction, and long-term peacebuilding efforts.
Presidential initiative
The summit was held at the initiative of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and co-hosted by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar. The meeting brought together prominent heads of state and senior officials from across the Islamic world, including, King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, Prime Minister Moustafa Kamal Madbouly of Egypt, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
They were joined by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Steven C. Witkoff, Special Envoy of the U.S. President for the Middle East.
Skepticism over recognition
At the UN earlier, Trump rejected calls for Palestinian statehood, saying such recognition would “reward horrible atrocities.” Instead, he pushed for a “ceasefire-for-prisoners” deal. His position clashed with a wave of European recognition of Palestine in recent months.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later told Fox News that only a “negotiated settlement” could deliver lasting peace, describing the New York meeting as “one last shot” at ending the conflict and unlocking humanitarian aid for Gaza.
