JEDDAH — Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen named Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco the OIC's first goodwill ambassador.

The OIC chief handed her the credentials of the post during a ceremony in Rabat on Thursday. The appointment was in line with z resolution of the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC states held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in October 2016.

Speaking on the occasion, Al-Othaimeen said Princess Lalla, daughter of the late King Hassan II, in her new role shoulders a substantial responsibility to further the ideals and objectives of the OIC and its member states in the areas of women empowerment and preserving family values. He said her main tasks include advocating women empowerment, promoting family and marital relations, and combatting underage marriages.

“The choice of Princess Lalla to this prestigious position comes in recognition of her societal role and her vision on women empowerment, family and child welfare. Her efforts will contribute substantially to the work of OIC for women empowerment and child welfare in the Maghreb and the greater Arab world,” he said. — SG