Maldives has signed the Statute of the OIC Women’s Development Organization, a new body established under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to promote the role and empowerment of women within Member States.

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid signed statue, during his ongoing visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday. The People’s Majlis approved Maldives’ application for membership in September; it was forwarded to the parliament in August, by the President’s Office.

Maldives is the 13th country to sign and ratify the statute.

In a tweet posted after, the foreign minister said that it was “an honour” to sign the statute of OIC Women’s Development Organization on International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The minister also called on OIC’s Secretary-General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen after arriving in Jeddah on Monday morning. The minister is there to attend the opening ceremony of Commemoration of the OIC’s Golden Jubilee; to be held in the evening.

During the meeting, both parties discussed ways in which the Maldives can further contribute to the deliberations within the OIC, with the secretary general welcoming the country’s decision to open a consulate in Jeddah.

The foreign ministry noted that the OIC “remains one of the principles international organizations which the Maldives actively participates in”.

The Maldives became a Member State of the OIC in 1976.