Iranian FM Urges D-8 to Devise Strategy for Regional Cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the 8 Muslim developing countries, known as the D8 Group, to devise a strategy for improving regional cooperation.

Addressing the 16th Session of Developing Eight (D-8) Council of Ministers meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Thursday, Zarif said the regional as well as global and economic challenges and financial crises have had far reaching impacts on societies in different parts of the world.

He said this situation has forced the countries to opt collective approaches and multilateral cooperation in various sectors to meet the various challenges taking place.

He underlined that a strategy for regional cooperation will enhance the ability ofmember states to cope more effectively with the financial crisis.

The minister went on to say that the D-8 has been established to effectively present the Islamic world’s capabilities for enhanced economic cooperation.

“The purpose of the ministerial meeting is to expedite the decision making process amongst the member countries,” he said.

Zarif proposed to increase involvement of the private sector of D-8 members by undertaking various programs.

The Developing 8 (D-8 or Developing Eight) are a group of developing countries with large Muslim populations that have formed an economic development alliance. It consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.

The objectives of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to improve member states’ position in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and improve standards of living. D-8 is a global arrangement rather than a regional one, as the composition of its members reflects.