39th UNIW Council Meeting Dhaka – Bangladesh

The 39th UNIW Council Meeting Was Convened in Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh – 2025
The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), held its 39th Council Meeting this year in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Bringing together civil society organization representatives from 13 different countries, the meeting provided a vital platform for strengthening global partnerships and addressing humanitarian and social issues across the Islamic geography. Hosting NGOs SAWAB and Krishibid Group demonstrated outstanding hospitality to international guests on both official and social levels.

Visionary NGOs Gathered Under One Roof

The meeting was promoted across digital media under terms such as "visionaries, NGO leaders, and changemakers". Throughout the working sessions of the event, the following primary themes emerged:

• Call for collective action against ongoing humanitarian crises in the Islamic world,
• Evaluation of joint development projects among member countries,
• Collective initiatives in social justice, youth empowerment, and education,
• Discussing new-generation NGO visions in a digitalizing world.

Emphasis on Social Business: The Three Zeros Goal

The 39th Council Meeting was not merely a traditional NGO gathering; it took place concurrently with the International Social Business Summit 2025. In this context, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus attended the meeting as Guest of Honor in his capacity as Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh.

In his statement released via social media, Prof. Yunus invited civil society organizations across the Islamic world to assume a more proactive role. He particularly underscored his "Three Zeros" framework (Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions) designed to tackle pressing global challenges.

UNIW's 2025 Vision and Strategic Goals

During the closing session of the meeting, UNIW's core strategic objectives for 2025 and beyond were outlined as follows:

• Enhancing integration and synergy among member organizations,
• Strengthening collective response capacity during global crises,
• Increasing women and youth representation across governance bodies,
• Supporting joint educational, academic, and research projects,
• Empowering justice-driven and rights-based NGOs across the Islamic world.

SAWAB's Hospitality and Welcoming Reception

Prior to the council meeting, a welcoming reception organized by SAWAB fostered strong bonds among participants. Held in a warm and constructive atmosphere, NGO representatives had the opportunity to network and exchange field experiences.

In speeches delivered during the reception, Bangladesh's strategic position within the Islamic world, its humanitarian aid efforts, and the importance of international solidarity were emphasized.

Shared Sensitivity and Future Action Plans

Taking the floor during the sessions, UNIW Secretary General and guest representatives stated that civil society must become more active and organized against the social, economic, and humanitarian challenges facing Muslim geographies.

Furthermore, new regional projects, international training programs, and youth initiatives planned for execution throughout 2025 were extensively deliberated.

New Members, Strengthening Network

During the council meeting, membership applications from 10 institutions and organizations representing 4 different countries were formally ratified by the vote of council members. These new admissions have further reinforced international solidarity under the UNIW umbrella.