Canada announces appointment of new special envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Jamal Khokhar, Canada’s Ambassador to Turkey, will concurrently assume the role of Canada’s special envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Since 2013, Canada has pursued its engagement with the OIC to facilitate cooperation on priorities such as good governance, human rights, diversity and inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, sustainability and the challenges faced by refugees.

Ambassador Khokhar, who will be the third to take on the special envoy role, is a respected diplomat with a broad range of experience both inside and outside government. He will continue to strengthen engagement with OIC partners and advance Canada’s commitment to building a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable world.

Quotes

“Canada deeply values its relationships with the diverse members and peoples represented in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. We are committed to continuing to deepen our collaboration with the OIC and to working together to advance our shared values.”

– François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

• Based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the OIC’s membership represents over 1.8 billion people. The OIC endeavours to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, to protect the interests of Muslims the world over and to promote international understanding and peace.
• Canada is home to more than a million Muslims of diverse ethnic backgrounds.