Jeddah, Muharram 11, 1439, Oct 1, 2017, SPA -- On the International day of old persons (1/10/017), the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a statement today, expressing its pleasure to commemorate with the international community this day, which provides an opportunity to renew our gratitude to our fathers and grandfathers who have worked hard to build our homelands and promote development of their countries and communities and now they stand in need of help to complete their journey with dignity and pride, especially in the light of the health related, psychological, social and economic changes they may face on a personal or family level in their communities in general. The OIC has paid attention to the elderly in Member States. The Resolution adopted by the 42nd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Kuwait in May 2015, called upon Member States, Subsidiary, Specialized and Affiliated Organs to strengthen their role in promoting policies relating to the elderly in Member States and upholding Islamic values and traditions in order to provide a healthy life for the elderly. The Resolution also called for holding a ministerial conference on "maintaining the welfare and social security of the elderly in the Islamic world". The Secretariat works in coordination with Member States and the relevant organs of the Organization to achieve this goal. --SPA 18:51 LOCAL TIME 15:51 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w501975