Timeline: Makkah’s major agreements and declarations since 1981

MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Saudi Arabia has pursued a wide range of defense, security and political agreements over the past several decades, reflecting its evolving role in regional security and cooperation across the Muslim world.

While many earlier agreements focused on mediation and political reconciliation, Saudi Arabia’s more recent defense initiatives have increasingly emphasized institutionalized military cooperation, strategic coordination and collective deterrence.

The 2026 Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Türkiye marks the latest development in this broader trajectory.

The following timeline highlights major Saudi-backed agreements and initiatives with a defense or security dimension, tracing how the Kingdom’s approach has evolved from conflict mediation and political coordination toward more formalized regional security cooperation.

1981 – Makkah Declaration (Third Islamic Summit)

Leaders of the Organization of Islamic Conference (now OIC) met in Makkah and adopted a declaration reaffirming support for Palestinian self-determination, condemning Israel’s occupation of Jerusalem, and calling for greater political and economic cooperation among Muslim countries.

1993 – Makkah Accord on Afghanistan (Ratification of the Islamabad Accord)

After signing a peace agreement in Islamabad, Afghanistan’s rival mujahideen leaders travelled to Makkah, where they swore before the Kaaba to honor the accord.

The agreement retained Burhanuddin Rabbani as President, appointed Gulbuddin Hekmatyar as Prime Minister, and called for a ceasefire and power-sharing government.

The accord collapsed within days as fighting resumed around Kabul, paving the way for continued civil war and eventually the rise of the Taliban.

2005 – Makkah Declaration (Extraordinary OIC Summit)

The Extraordinary Islamic Summit adopted the Makkah Declaration and a Ten-Year Programme of Action aimed at promoting political reform, economic development, scientific progress, moderation, and collective efforts against extremism across the Muslim world.

2006 – Makkah Declaration on Iraq

Prominent Sunni and Shia religious leaders from Iraq met in Makkah under OIC auspices and declared sectarian killings to be forbidden in Islam. The declaration sought to stem Iraq’s escalating sectarian violence following the bombing of the Al-Askari Shrine.

2007 – Makkah Agreement (Fatah-Hamas)

Brokered by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashal agreed in Makkah to end internecine fighting and establish a Palestinian national unity government.

Although the agreement briefly reduced tensions, it collapsed within months, leading to Hamas taking control of Gaza.

2011 – Makkah Initiative on Yemen

Saudi Arabia hosted Yemeni religious and political figures in Makkah in an effort to encourage dialogue and national reconciliation during Yemen’s political crisis. While the meetings reflected broad support for peaceful transition, they did not produce a lasting political settlement.

2019 – Charter of Makkah (Makkah Declaration)

More than 1,200 Muslim scholars and religious leaders from over 130 countries adopted the Charter of Makkah.

The document promotes moderation, religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, equal citizenship, respect for diversity, and rejects extremism, terrorism, and sectarianism. It is regarded as one of the most comprehensive contemporary Islamic declarations on interfaith harmony.

2026 – Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan signed a trilateral defence agreement in Makkah to institutionalise strategic military cooperation, intelligence sharing, defence industrial collaboration, and mutual consultations in the event of external aggression. The agreement reflects an emerging security partnership among three leading Muslim-majority states.