Egypt will chair the upcoming D-8 summit on Thursday, which will feature a focused session on the ongoing crises in Palestine and Lebanon. This session, highlighted by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, comes at a crucial moment, with tensions in the Middle East and pressing humanitarian concerns reaching new heights.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, a group of eight developing nations including Türkiye, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, was founded in 1997 to foster economic and social cooperation among its members. The summit, which rotates its presidency, will see Egypt take the lead from Bangladesh.
In a statement, Minister Abdelatty emphasized the urgency of addressing the deteriorating situation in Gaza, pointing to Israel’s military actions as a key factor in the region’s instability. He noted that the Israeli government’s violations of international law in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon have contributed to a dire humanitarian crisis. “The timing of this summit is crucial, as it coincides with immense regional challenges and global economic pressures that affect developing countries,” Abdelatty said.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister underscored the significant impact of the ongoing conflict on Gaza’s infrastructure and civilian population, calling for international action to address these violations. He further stressed that the focus on Palestine and Lebanon at the summit would reflect the group’s collective concern for the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in these regions.
The summit will also focus on enhancing cooperation within the D-8, with particular attention on exploring new economic opportunities. Abdelatty highlighted the need for stronger trade relations, increased investment, and greater participation from the private sector. “Youth engagement will also be a key theme, as it is essential to invest in the next generation to shape the future economy,” he added.
The D-8 summit, scheduled to take place under the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises, Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy,” will look beyond immediate geopolitical issues, aiming to strengthen economic ties and promote sustainable development within member nations.
Earlier in the week, the 21st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting was held in Cairo, where representatives from member states, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, convened to finalize preparations for the summit.
As Egypt takes on the presidency, the summit marks an important moment for the D-8 to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening partnerships and addressing the challenges facing its member nations, including the dire situation in Gaza and broader Middle East tensions.