Leaders from Egypt, Türkiye, and Iran gathered in Cairo on Thursday for the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation. The summit focused on pressing regional issues, including the ongoing turmoil in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi opened the summit by highlighting major regional challenges. \"The persistent Israeli war against the Palestinian people and the vulnerable conditions in Lebanon and Syria are major concerns,\" al-Sisi stated. He further emphasized the impact of global conflicts and economic protectionism on regional stability.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the importance of concerted efforts to end Israeli \"aggressions\" in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. \"We should stand together in light of the developments that the world is witnessing,\" he asserted, accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and committing genocide against the Palestinians. Notably, Pezeshkian's visit marks the first by an Iranian president to Cairo in 11 years.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the summit by underscoring Turkey's commitment to monitor developments in Syria closely. He called for the formulation of rapid plans to rebuild the war-torn country. \"The world is witnessing conflicts and tensions that affect international stability,\" Erdogan remarked, advocating for the expansion of D-8 membership to enhance the organization's global influence. He welcomed Azerbaijan's recent accession as the newest D-8 member.
The summit also saw Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto urging solidarity and joint action under international law to boost cooperation and achieve sustainable development. \"We must put aside our differences and work as one force to achieve prosperity for our peoples,\" he emphasized.
Azerbaijan's entry into the D-8 expands the organization's reach, bringing new perspectives and strengthening its role in addressing global challenges. The summit theme, \"Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow's Economy,\" highlighted the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering small and medium-sized enterprises to drive economic growth.
Non-D-8 guests, including Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, attended the summit. Prime Minister Mikati called on Arab countries to support Lebanon's reconstruction efforts and sustainable development initiatives, emphasizing the need to address the repercussions of recent Israeli actions.
Overall, the 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo served as a platform for fostering regional cooperation, addressing ongoing conflicts, and promoting economic resilience through youth empowerment and SME support.
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Leaders from Egypt, Türkiye, Iran address Mideast issues at D-8 summit
cgtn.com
