Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Muslim countries to expand economic cooperation, saying their economic scale is small compared with their population and geostrategic position. He made the appeal in a speech at the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, Iran’s capital.

Pezeshkian stressed unity among Muslim countries despite differences of opinion. He said the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, spanning Southeast Asia to Africa, are situated around key maritime and land routes and possess energy resources, young populations and a large market.

He said only 19 percent of member states’ exports remain within the group, while the rest go to countries outside the OIC. The Iranian president urged Muslim countries to increase trade among themselves.