The two day event ended with a joint declaration on environmental protection and sustainable development, calling on renewed political commitment from member states to actively pursue sustainable development goals, energy efficiency, and poverty eradication.

The ministers agreed to work with industry and embrace technological innovations, renewables and energy efficiency mechanisms to create a “new energry operating system”

The declaration called on all 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to pursue “green economies” where renewables and energy efficiency creates a new green wave of employment and income for societies.

Also there was agreement to work together to build synergy on water sustainability, food security and energy efficiency and to adopt a set of standards for sustainable governance good practices adapted to the socio-economic and cultural context of the OIC member states.

OIC secretary general Iyaad Ameen Madani said: “Climate change is a serious threat, especially to the developing world. It is only through collective action that we will overcome one of the pressing challenges of our generation.”

Madani said forums which bring together developing countries such as the OIC need to take a more holistic approach to environmental challenges.

“Sustainable development, having a diverse green economy, and eradicating poverty are at the heart of environmental well-being, and so it was very important that we achieved broad consensus on a wide array of issues ranging from water and food security to climate change,” he said.

The conference also adopted a series of documents including the Islamic agenda for sustainable development, water resources management, environmental sustainability, and the establishment of an Islamic environmental academy.