D-8 summit: PM leaves for Cairo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has left for Cairo to participate in the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) nations.

The D-8 is an organisation focused on economic cooperation, with member states including Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nigeria, Indonesia, Iran, and Türkiye.

The summit’s theme this year is “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy.”

PM Shehbaz is expected to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to D-8 goals at the summit emphasizing partnerships in agriculture, food security, and tourism. He will also advocate for mutual prosperity and regional collaboration, according to the Foreign Office.

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In addition, the Prime Minister will participate in a special session on the humanitarian crisis and reconstruction challenges in Gaza and Lebanon, addressing the aftermath of Israeli aggression in the Middle East.

The Foreign Office stated that PM Shehbaz will highlight Pakistan’s stance on regional peace and use the summit as a platform for bilateral meetings with other leaders.

The D-8 summit will open tomorrow (Thursday).

WHAT IS D-8

The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation is a platform uniting major Muslim developing nations: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye.

It was officially established through the Istanbul Declaration at the Summit of Heads of State/Government on June 15, 1997.

The organization’s goals include enhancing members’ positions in the global economy, creating diverse trade opportunities, increasing participation in international decision-making, and improving living standards.

Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam from Nigeria currently serves as the Secretary General, with the D-8 Secretariat headquartered in Istanbul, Türkiye.