D-8 leaders to address Gaza crisis in Istanbul meeting
President Erdogan at the 9th Summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation in Istanbul, October 20, 2017
The D-8 Economic Cooperation Organization, comprising Türkiye, Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria and Bangladesh, aims to address the Gaza crisis during its 27th-anniversary meeting.
The organization, founded in 1997 under the leadership of the late Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, aims to “enhance the prosperity and well-being of member nations.”
With a population exceeding 1.2 billion, an economy worth $4.8 trillion, and over 7.5 million square kilometers, the foreign ministers of the member countries will convene in Istanbul on June 15, Saturday.
The significance of the D-8 nations coming together to address the situation in Gaza lies in their collective stance against the ongoing Israeli atrocities that have continued for eight months, showing that they will not remain silent in the face of Israeli oppression.
Erdogan calls on UN for concrete action in Gaza
According to sources, the D-8 member countries will issue a declaration at the end of the meeting on the developments in Gaza and establish a permanent cease-fire. Türkiye aims to mobilize every possible means, both economically, politically and legally, to declare a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. In this context, the D-8 has the potential to enhance the diplomatic efforts carried out by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League regarding Gaza and increase their effectiveness.
While Ankara is using every opportunity and tool to exert pressure on Israel, this will be the first time in D-8’s history, which is based on economic cooperation, that the organization will convene on a political issue. Eight countries spanning three continents established the D-8, with its secretariat based in Istanbul, to ensure socio-economic development.
The organization is based on principles prioritizing peace over conflict, dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over-exploitation, justice over double standards, equality over discrimination, and democracy over oppression.
The main areas of activity for the D-8 include trade, agriculture and food security, industry, energy, health and tourism.
