Cairo, December 19, 2024 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan has been unanimously elected as a member of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) during the 11th summit of the organization in Cairo, Egypt, as announced by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. This marks the first expansion of the D-8 since its founding.
The decision to admit Azerbaijan into the D-8 is seen as a significant outcome of the successful foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev. “Our membership is a reflection of the determined and successful foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev,” the Ministry stated.
Azerbaijan had previously participated in the D-8’s 9th summit in Istanbul in 2017, where President Aliyev attended as a special guest. This year’s summit in Cairo saw Azerbaijan represented by a high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry emphasized that Azerbaijan’s membership in the D-8, an organization that represents countries with a collective population constituting 60% of the world’s Muslims and significant economic potential, underscores Azerbaijan’s growing influence on the international stage. The country’s inclusion is viewed as a clear demonstration of international confidence in Azerbaijan’s capabilities.
As a new member, Azerbaijan is committed to upholding justice, international law, and the core principles of the D-8 organization. The country aims to play an instrumental role in deepening cooperation among member states, particularly in areas of economic and trade relations, transport, communications, and regional stability.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s strategic location and historical role as a bridge between the East and West will enhance the D-8’s efforts to strengthen Islamic solidarity, promote Islamic values globally, and combat Islamophobia.
The D-8, founded on October 22, 1996, by Türkiye in cooperation with Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan, is dedicated to fostering economic cooperation and development among its member states. Its Secretariat is based in Istanbul.
Azerbaijan’s membership in the D-8 is expected to further bolster the organization’s goals of prosperity, security, and mutual cooperation in various sectors, contributing to greater stability and development in the region.
