President Prabowo Subianto to Attend D-8 Summit in Cairo
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is set to participate in the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Summit, scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from December 17 to 19, 2024.
During the summit, Indonesia will officially be designated as the next chair of the D-8 organization for the 2026-2027 period, succeeding Egypt. Indonesia’s chairmanship is slated to commence on January 1, 2026.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah Soemirat emphasized the significance of this summit. “This summit holds immense importance as it not only serves as a regular meeting of the D-8 but also marks the handover of chairmanship from Egypt to Indonesia,” Soemirat stated on Monday.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, established in 1997, includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, representing key members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Highlighting the relevance of the D-8 framework, Soemirat pointed to its growing role in fostering economic and developmental cooperation among Global South nations. “Indonesia will leverage the President’s presence to underline the importance of the D-8 in contributing positively to the Global South’s appeal for strengthened collaboration,” he remarked.
The spokesman also underscored the D-8’s role in amplifying global awareness of the situation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, which continues to face Israeli aggression.
The Cairo summit, themed “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small Medium Enterprises: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy,” reflects the organization’s dedication to addressing youth and MSME development as vital components of future economic growth.
“This theme aligns with the priorities outlined by President Prabowo regarding international cooperation in the economic sector,” Soemirat concluded.
Indonesia’s leadership of the D-8 for the 2026-2027 term is expected to further strengthen the organization’s focus on economic growth, global cooperation, and support for the Global South.
