Globalization, Multi-lateralism and the Islamic World

Islamic Countries and non-Islamic Neo-regional Institutions

The process of multi-literalism was not restricted in the Islamic world to establishing inter-Islamic institutions, but included joining other trans-regional frameworks, which aspire to achieve the goal of the effective healing with globalization. This is a reflection of the perception that the Islamic world is not a closed entity, but rather an open system interacting with other non-Islamic actors on the basis of mutual interests. Accordingly, some Islamic countries have joined the Group of Fifteen, the Indian Ocean Rim Community (IORC), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (APEC). and the Common Market for East and South Africa(COMESA).

The Group of Fifteen was established in 1989 as a forum for technical cooperation between the countries of South. Today it comprises 19 member states, some of such as Islamic states, namely Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Senegal. The Group holds an annual summit meeting. So far, it has identified 24 projects for technical cooperation the areas of environment, trade, investment, and technology. It also focused on trade promotion among member states thorough international fairs.

Among the 19 member states in the IORC, which was established in 1997 to promote cooperation among littoral states of the Indian Ocean, one could identify 8 Islamic states. These are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mozambique, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, in addition to Egypt, which is one of five Dialogue Partners. With the exception of Australia’s membership in that institution, the objectives and activities of the IORC are quite similar to those of the Group of Fifteen. The IORC’s secretariat is based in Mauritius and holds a bi-annul ministerial conference. It is also based on an innovative concept of cooperation at the governmental and non-governmental levels as well. It comprises special forums for cooperation among academicians and businessmen ⁽¹³⁾.

By and large, APEC is considered as the model for all neo-regional enterprises in the post Cold era. It established the model of open and soft regionalism, which focus on integration into the global economy. In fact, most subsequent neo-regional projects emulated different version of the APEC experience. APEC was established in 1989. It comprises 21 member states, which share the Pacific Ocean. Among them one can identify three Islamic states. These are Brunei Dar El-Salaam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. APEC has a limited secretariat based in Singapore and holds annual summit and ministerial meetings. It also established a Business Advisory Group to promote the cooperation among business groups in member states. APEC focuses on promoting the multi-lateral trade system, trade liberalization and facilitation, regional cooperation through Work Projects, regional cooperation in the areas of energy, maritime conservation and anti-pollution ⁽¹⁴⁾.

Finally, the COMESA was established in 1994 with a view of forming of a large economic and trading unit in East and South Africa through the development of a free trade area among member states. COMESA has developed an elaborate institutional framework, which includes summit meetings, ministerial conferences, and other technical institutions such as a trade development bank, a clearinghouse, and a court of justice. As of the middle of 2001, COMESA membership increased to twenty member states, five of which are classified as Islamic states. These are the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, and Uganda.

The participation of some Islamic sates in these neo-regional projects along with other states promotes the ability of Islamic states to cope with the challenges of globalization. However, it is also ridden with the threat of weakening integration among Islamic states by dividing them among different neo-regional groups. The main potential victim could be the economic institutions of the OIC. This is not an inevitable outcome of such participation. As this outcome will accrue depending on the will and ability of Islamic states to maintain their own neo-regional projects without being isolated from the global economy.

• The Conceptual Framework

• The Organization of the Islamic Conference and Globalization

• Neo-regional Enterprises of the Islamic World: The Developing-8

• Multi-lateral Non-governmental Institutions of the Islamic World

• Islamic Countries and non-Islamic Neo-regional Institutions

• Islamic Countries and the Reform of Global Multi-lateral Institutions

• An Assessment of the Multi-lateral Responses of the Islamic World to Globalization

• Endnotes

Mohammad El-Sayed Selim is a Professor of Political Science, Director of the Center for Asian studies, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. 
E-mail: mohammedselim@hotmail.com