Developing-8 (D-8)

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, assumed responsibilities as the new Secretary General of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, today. The change was effected in a formal handing over ceremony held at the #D8 Secretariat in Istanbul. During the ceremony, the Outgoing Secretary-General, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, and the Incoming Secretary-General, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, exchanged remarks - stressing the D-8’s vast potential, ensuring realisation of the opportunities for enhanced cooperation and economic integration, and underscoring commitment to the principles and objectives of the Organisation as enshrined in the #D8 Charter as well as the Decennial Roadmap. The ceremony concluded with the signing of the handover minutes and a family photo.

On behalf of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Secretariat, we extend warmest felicitations and best wishes and prayers to everyone celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. #EidulAdha #D8

My first official visit to Baku for #WUF13 provided an excellent opportunity for bilateral meetings with the Azerbaijan leadership on the sidelines. In our brief interaction, I thanked the Honourable @presidentaz His Excellency Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s dynamic participation in #D8 processes and imparting a strong momentum to the Organisation’s activities since assuming full membership. Also had substantive meetings with Foreign Minister @Bayramov_Jeyhun; Minister of Energy @ParvizShahbazov; Assistant to the President @HikmetHajiyev; and Executive Director MEDIA @ahmadismayilov. We exchanged views on further deepening collaboration in D-8’s priority areas of sectoral cooperation and discussed operationalisation during 2026 of three D-8 Centers of Excellence being established by Azerbaijan in Baku — focused on Energy and Climate; Transport; and the Media. Grateful to our gracious hosts for warm hospitality and excellent arrangements. #WUF13 #Baku #D8

Within the framework of #WUF13, at the D-8 High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue, jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@AzerbaijanMFA), the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, and the #D8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, we exchanged views on #sustainable urban #energysupply, the alignment of the #energytransition with #urbandevelopment agendas and #greenurbanization issues. Given that cities account for approximately 70% of global #energyconsumption and a significant share of emissions, it was emphasized that green and #smartcities are becoming the main driving force of the energy transition. Azerbaijan’s implemented #greenenergy projects, #regionalenergycorridors and the #GreenEnergyZone being developed in #Garabagh and #EastZangazur make an important contribution to sustainable urban development.

As part of WUF13, the D-8 Energy and Urban Dialogue was held at the Azerbaijan Pavilion in the Urban Expo. The event focused on the future of sustainable cities and the region’s energy transformation. The discussions centred on energy transition, sustainable cities, climate resilience and the development of modern urban infrastructure for more than 1.25 billion people across the D-8 region. Azerbaijan, following its accession to the D-8, presented a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening practical cooperation within the D-8 framework, including proposals to establish the D-8 Energy and Climate Center, the D-8 Transport Excellence Center and the D-8 Media Excellence Center in Baku. #WUF13 #WUF13Azerbaijan #Baku2026 #WorldUrbanForum

Deeply gratified with substantive deliberations at the “D-8 High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue,” held on the sidelines of 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (#WUF13) — co-organised by @UNHabitat and the Government of Azerbaijan in Baku from 17-22 May 2026. The Dialogue’s thematic focus, “Powering Sustainable Cities in the D-8 Region - Aligning Energy Transitions with Urban Development Agendas”, was extremely apt and timely. It brought together Ministers, Senior Representatives, Mayors, and experts from #D8 Member States to advance a shared vision for sustainable cities, clean energy transformation, resilient urban development, and affordable housing for all across the D-8 region. Our discussions underscored the importance of aligning energy transitions with urban development agendas while strengthening innovation, sustainable growth, South-South cooperation, and international partnerships. The Dialogue reflected the growing commitment of D-8 Member States to advancing practical cooperation and collective solutions for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. My profound thanks to Excellency @_anar_guliyev, Chairman of the 🇦🇿State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator of the WUF13; and Excellency @ParvizShahbazov, 🇦🇿Minister of Energy for their leadership and to all the distinguished participants from D-8 Member States for their valuable contributions. #WUF13 #WorldUrbanForum #Baku #D8

Honoured to participate in the opening ceremony of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (#WUF) in Baku and to listen to the inspiring inaugural address by the Honourable @presidentaz His Excellency Ilham Aliyev. Co-organized by the Government of Azerbaijan and @UNHABITAT from 17–22 May 2026, the Forum is being held under the theme: “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” More than 40,000 participants — including Leaders, Ministers, senior representatives, mayors, experts, and members of civil society from 182 countries — registered for this landmark global gathering. Another milestone for Azerbaijan after the successful convening of @COP29_AZ in 2024! #WUF13 #WorldUrbanForum #Baku #D8

The 29th Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul (11-13 May) with thematic focus on “Global Responsibility” concluded with a session featuring 11 former heads of state/government from participating countries. On the sidelines, I had the opportunity to briefly interact with former Presidents of the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Türkiye; former Foreign Minister of Egypt; and other distinguished delegates.

Privileged to address the opening session of the 29th Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul today, organised by the Marmara Group Foundation under the thematic focus of “Global Responsibility” in the wake of formidable challenges to global peace and the environment. I stressed the indispensable roles of diplomacy and sustainability in addressing the multiple crises of our times. The Summit brings together several former Heads of State and Government, ministers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, and senior representatives of international organizations. In my remarks, I highlighted the increasingly complex global environment characterized by wars and armed conflicts, intensifying strategic competition, erosion of international law and multilateralism, growing economic uncertainties, stiffening climate-induced challenges, supply chain disruptions, rising protectionism, and widening development gaps. Emphasizing the urgent need for collective action and stronger international cooperation, I stressed that sustainable peace and stability, dialogue and diplomacy, inclusive economic growth, climate sustainability, innovation, connectivity, and resilient partnerships remain indispensable for addressing contemporary global challenges. I also reaffirmed the D-8’s commitment to promoting trade, investment, digital transformation, agricultural modernization, energy cooperation, and innovation-driven growth among its Member States, while advancing the principles of dialogue, cooperation, justice, equality, and multilateralism.

Addressing the High-Level Virtual Consultations on Visa Facilitation among D-8 Member States, Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the importance of enhanced mobility and strengthened ‘soft connectivity’ for deeper institutional cooperation, private sector engagement, intra-D-8 trade and investment collaboration, economic integration, and people-to-people linkages. The Meeting, chaired by Bangladesh, reviewed progress on existing visa facilitation arrangements and explored practical pathways to facilitate visa and travel procedures for officials and accredited businesspersons across the D-8 region. Member States reaffirmed their commitment to promoting greater mobility and facilitation of travel across the D-8 geography through appropriate instruments and arrangements in line with the objectives of the D-8 Organisation and the priorities set out in the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030.

Amb @DrYousafJunaid held a productive meeting with Secretary General D-8 Amb Sohail Mahmood. The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation among D-8 member states for sustainable development, with emphasis on enhancing trade and economic collaboration.

Pleased to participate in the 9th Meeting of D-8 SME Governmental Bodies, where we advanced a shared vision for deepening and broadening SME cooperation. Wide-ranging discussions reflected collective commitment to strengthening international partnerships, advancing the work of the D-8 SME Centre in Abuja, and shaping Action Plans that support more connected, resilient, and innovative SME ecosystems across D-8 Member States”. #D8 #SMEs

While observing the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace today (April 24), it is essential to recognize that the threats to international peace and security as well as sustainable development are at an unprecedentedly high level. For addressing the critical deficits in these domains, and for building a safer world as envisaged in the founding vision of the United Nations, there is no substitute for dialogue, enhanced mutual understanding, and collective action. It is imperative today, more than ever before, to reaffirm abiding commitment to the UN Charter, strictly adhere to the Charter’s purposes and principles, ensure universal respect for international law, and take practical steps to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity. Diplomacy and UN-centered multilateralism remain indispensable for tackling the complex, multifaceted global challenges of our times and for advancing the core objectives of just peace and sustainable development in a manner that meets the aspirations of nations and peoples across the globe. #InternationalDayofMultilateralismandDiplomacyforPeace #April24 #D8 @AzerbaijanMFA @BDMOFA @MFAEgOfficial @Kemlu_RI @IRIMFA_EN @MalaysiaMFA @NigeriaMFA @ForeignOfficePk @MFATurkiye @UN @antonioguterres

Every step we take today shapes tomorrow’s world. For our common home the World and humanity, now is the time for action. COP31 President Türkiye celebrates the Earth Day. 🌱

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum (#ADF2026) also provided an excellent opportunity for bilateral interactions as well as outreach to regional and international partners on the sidelines. It was a privilege meeting 🇮🇷DFM Saeed Khatibzadeh; CICA Secretary-General Amb Kairat Sarybay; ECO Secretary-General Amb Asad Majeed; OIC Assistant Secretary General Amb Aftab Khokhar; and Director Intergovernmental Affairs UNEP Mr. Jamil Ahmed. We agreed to further strengthen our mutual collaboration and pursue joint endeavours to advance common goals. Media interactions offered valuable opportunity to highlight D-8’s founding vision, recent achievements, and future trajectory; share D-8’s perspective on latest regional and international developments; and stress the indispensable role of diplomacy, multilateralism, and international cooperation and solidarity in addressing the current challenges and realising the opportunities. My sincere felicitations to @MFATurkiye, @TC_Disisleri & @HakanFidan for organising yet another stellar edition of @AntalyaDF. #ADF2026 #MEET4DIPLOMACY #D8

Grateful for a very productive meeting with H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 (*#ADF2026*). Conveyed deep appreciation for Azerbaijan’s active role in the D-8 process, guided by the vision and commitment of the Honourable President Ilham Aliyev. The year 2025 saw Azerbaijan hosting a range of high-level events and thus lending further momentum to the Organisation’s overall work. Also thanked for 🇦🇿’s initiative regarding establishment of three Centres of Excellence relating to energy and climate; transport cooperation; and the media. Besides strengthening the institutional architecture of the D-8, the proposed Centers would help advance sectoral cooperation among Member States in key areas. Foreign Minister Bayramov reiterated Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to D-8, describing it as a high priority in the country’s foreign policy. The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s full support in further deepening intra-bloc collaboration, operationalising the 3 Centres at the earliest, facilitating Ministerial dialogue on a range of sectoral priorities, and supporting D-8’s endeavours in the media/information domain to raise international awareness about the Organisation’s current plans and future trajectory. #ADF2026 #MEET4DIPLOMACY #D8 @AzerbaijanMFA @Bayramov_Jeyhun @AntalyaDF

Delighted to meet with H.E. Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026. Conveyed sincere appreciation for Bangladesh’s valuable contributions to the deepening of mutual collaboration within the D-8 framework. Particularly thanked him for Bangladesh’s strong engagement on subjects ranging from enhanced trade to youth empowerment, and from closer people-to-people links to strengthening D-8’s institutional structure. Foreign Minister Rahman reaffirmed 🇧🇩’s full support for the D-8, underscoring its importance as a crucial platform for economic cooperation and its potential to serve as a locomotive for shared progress and prosperity. The Foreign Minister also emphasised the value of dialogue and collective endeavours on the range of challenges and opportunities in the rapidly transforming global environment. It was agreed to work together to reinforce mutual solidarity, enhance practical cooperation, and increase D-8’s international visibility and action profile. #ADF2026 #MEET4DIPLOMACY #D8 @BDMOFA

Global leaders gathered at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum [@AntalyaDF], organized in partnership with the Investment and Finance Office [@InvestTurkey] in Antalya for a high-level discussion on the future of global investment. The “Investment Across Continents” panel, moderated by Investment and Finance Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu [@aburakdaglioglu], brought together distinguished speakers including Secretary General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation [@D8or] Sohail Mahmood, President of the Turkic Investment Fund [@TurkicFundOrg] Baghdad Amreyev, and Director for OECD Global Relations and Cooperation [@OECD] Andreas Schaal [@schaal_andreas]. The distinguished speakers shared insights into how global value chains are being reshaped by geopolitics, nearshoring & friend-shoring are accelerating, infrastructure corridors are unlocking new opportunities, and diplomacy is becoming central to investment decisions. At a time of global uncertainty, the forum once again highlighted Türkiye’s unique role as the nexus of the world for diplomacy, investment, and international cooperation. The future of the region, and the global economy is being shaped in Türkiye. Read more at invest.tr/adf-2026. #Türkiye #NexusoftheWorld #Investment #Diplomacy #AntalyaDiplomacyForum

Glad to participate in the Panel on “Investment Across Continents” at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 (#ADF2026) held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 17-19 April 2026. In this 5th edition of ADF, the thematic focus was: “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.” In my remarks, I underlined that emerging realities such as a multipolarising world, intensifying major-power competition, recalibrating globalisation, and severe strain on multilateralism were influencing the global environment for investment and new strategies like ‘near-shoring’ and ‘friend-shoring’ were being promoted to reduce ‘risks’, advance ‘diversification’, and achieve ‘resilience.’ Beyond the cost calculations, the evolving dynamics of geopolitics and shifting paradigm of geoeconomics were impacting corporate decisions today — leading to reshaping of value chains and restructuring of production centers. I stressed that in the D-8’s perspective, a balanced and constructive response to the new challenges was required. Besides taking prudent policy actions to address the issues emerging from a transforming investment landscape, it was essential to work for creating a peaceful external environment conducive for investment promotion across continents. In this context, diplomacy had to play a central role through prevention of conflicts, emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes, insistence on respect for international law, active support for international cooperation and solidarity, and abiding commitment to multilateralism. Furthermore, I underlined, developing countries could successfully draw investments through a mix of domestic preparation and international cooperation. In this regard, the key requirements included ensuring predictability, efficient facilitation, credible infrastructure, connectivity, and trusted cross-border partnerships. I also highlighted Egypt’s strong investment performance as a D-8 Member State in recent years. The D-8’s fruitful collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in developing the “Guiding Principles for Investment Policymaking” was underscored. I concluded by reiterating that “Mapping Tomorrow” required vision, while leadership was imperative for “Managing Uncertainties.” #ADF2026 #D8 #MEET4DIPLOMACY @AntalyaDF @TC_Disisleri

Pleased to meet Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Secretary General of D-8 Organization of Economic Development (D-8) on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum @AntalyaDF.   Explored ways to further strengthen Azerbaijan - D-8 partnership in key areas including trade, energy, investment & connectivity.   Highlighted Azerbaijan’s active role within D-8 including hosting D-8 Week & advancing initiatives on energy, media & transport cooperation.   Briefed on regional developments including reconstruction in liberated territories.   Exchanged views on global challenges such as energy & food security, climate change & the need to reduce tensions in the Middle East while ensuring protection of civilians & respect for international humanitarian law.