Azerbaijan in the D-8 organizationAzerbaijan in the D-8 organization
The D-8 Economic Cooperation Organization unites eight Muslim countries. The foundation of the organization was laid with Turkey's initiative on October 22, 1996, in Istanbul, during the Development Cooperation Conference organized with the collaboration of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan. On June 15, 1997, at the summit of the heads of state and government of the 8 countries in Istanbul, the organization was officially announced. The Secretariat of the organization is located in Istanbul.
The six stars on the Union's flag symbolize its core principles:
- No war, but peace; no conflict, but dialogue;
- No double standards, but justice;
- No superiority, but equality;
- No colonization, but a fair order;
- No oppression and domination, but human rights, freedom, and democracy.
The population of the D-8, also known as the 'Islamic Eight,' constitutes 60 percent of the world's Muslim population and has a significant economic potential. The D-8 has held 11 summit meetings to date. When the organization was established, the per capita income of the member countries was 872 dollars, whereas it is now around 1,500 dollars. Exports have increased from 239 billion dollars to nearly 600 billion dollars, and imports have risen from 235 billion dollars to approximately 500 billion dollars.
D-8 is not a regional organization, but a global one. It is also open to other developing countries that accept the group's goals, principles, and share common relations. The organization is a forum that does not negatively affect the bilateral and multilateral commitments arising from membership in regional and international organizations.
The goal of the Union is to explore new opportunities among nine countries with great economic potential, diverse resources, a large population, and vast geographic areas, to diversify trade relations, increase participation in international decision-making processes, and ensure a better quality of life.
D-8 is one of the progressive steps taken towards building a 'new world. The region where the member countries of the organization are located has long been, for centuries, a battlefield of clashing interests of various powers. These contradictions have always been an obstacle to cooperation, stability, prosperity, and peace in the region. D-8 makes calls and invitations for the establishment of a new world. On December 10, 2014, it submitted a request for membership in the UN Security Council. Currently, the organization has observer status in the institution.
Cooperation within the D-8 framework is carried out based on the following sectors:
-development of regions, agriculture and fisheries
-poverty reduction and human resources
-science and technology
-finance
-banking and privatization
-trade
-energy
-industry
-health
-environment.
Our country was represented for the first time at the 9th Summit held in Istanbul in 2017, where President Ilham Aliyev participated as a special guest.
At the 11th Summit held in Cairo, our country was represented by a delegation led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov.
On December 19, 2024, during the 11th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) held in Cairo, Egypt, the Republic of Azerbaijan was unanimously selected as a member of the D-8 organization.
Azerbaijan's membership in the D-8 is a clear example of the growing influence of our country in the international arena and the trust placed in Azerbaijan.
Our country, which sets justice and the norms and principles of international law as its priority goals, will play an important role in preserving the core principles of the D-8 and further deepening cooperation within the organization.
Azerbaijan's membership in such an organization is an example of its growing influence in the international arena. It demonstrates that the Republic is a reliable state and pursues a consistent, continuous foreign policy. Azerbaijan's acceptance into the D-8 stems from this trust.
Azerbaijan, which has played a bridge role between the East and the West throughout history and is one of the main cultural, religious, and civilization centers of the Islamic world, will also make a significant contribution to strengthening Islamic solidarity, promoting Islamic values worldwide, and combating Islamophobia through its D-8 membership.