148. The Conference reaffirmed that preserving the wellbeing and physical health of children is a duty of every parent and society as prescribed by Islam. It, therefore, appealed to the religious scholars and leaders to support the polio eradication campaign and encourage people to respond positively to it. 149. The Conference noted, with concern, the sharp rise in the burden of cancer among OIC member states and the fact that it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It welcomed the Special Session on First Ladies’ Leadership on Cancer Control in Member States demonstrating strong leadership of First Ladies to showcase and discuss their individual involvement in the fight against cancer. The Special Session created and enhanced awareness on the increasing cancer burden in OIC Member States and ways to expand access to effective cancer prevention, diagnostics, treatment and care; and to identify ways and means through which First Ladies can further enhance their leadership role in effectively addressing the disease and saving lives. 150. The Conference welcomed the significant improvement in health care coverage and services in the OIC Member States leading to declining trends in child mortality rates from a higher base rate of 125 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 66 per 1000 live births by 2013. However, it expressed concern over the fact that about 130000 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in 2013, corresponding to 44% of world total maternal deaths. The Conference called on all OIC Member States to take appropriate measures to reduce the maternal mortality and child under five mortality. 151. The Meeting took note of the outbreak of Zika virus in some countries and urges the Member States for closer coordination with other international health organizations and stakeholders to develop an effective surveillance and response mechanism to contain the spread of Zika virus. 152. The Meeting took note of the Global Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) endorsed by 68thWorld Health Assembly in May 2015 and requests the Member States to effectively address the problem by strengthening their national public health and veterinary systems, and develop policies and programs in light of Islamic jurisprudence for combating the antimicrobial resistance. 153. The Conference welcomed Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s nomination of Dr. Sania Nishtar for the position of the Director General, World Health Organization. 154. The Conference acknowledged that challenges of environmental degradation and climate change have global consequences and significantly impact on the OIC Member States. Climate change poses a threat to the lives and livelihoods of billions of people and affects the development aspirations of developing countries. --More 20:17 LOCAL TIME 17:17 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w