The Secretary-General of Developing-8 Organization

Deeply honoured by the gracious words of welcome by His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Honourable President of the Republic of Türkiye, at the Iftar event, at the Presidential Complex, Ankara. @MFATurkiye @TC_Disisleri

Invited by Türkiye's Minister of Health, H.E. Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu (@drmemisoglu), I was privileged to participate in the 12th Turkish Medical World Congress in Istanbul and deliver keynote remarks. The Congress brought together over 2,000 participants, including Health Ministers, leading scientists and medical professionals, as well as Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, I underscored the imperative of international solidarity and collective action to build resilient health systems in the face of growing global health threats and challenges. Highlighting the D-8's complementary strengths in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology, medical devices, digital health, and use of Artificial Intelligence, I called for collaborative partnerships to advance innovation, technological self-reliance, and equitable access to affordable and sustainable healthcare. The D-8's commitment to deepening health cooperation was reaffirmed. In the bilateral meeting with Minister Memişoğlu, we discussed advancing the D-8 health agenda, including preparations for Türkiye's hosting of the Second D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Health in 2027, and expanding cooperation in health technologies, research and innovation. Also expressed appreciation for Türkiye's commitment to foster deeper D-8 health cooperation. In meeting with Somalia's Minister of Health and Social Care, H.E. Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar (@DrAliHajiadam), I apprised him of the D-8's core mission and ongoing initiatives on various tracks. Opportunities for closer institutional engagement and mutually beneficial cooperation in the health sector were explored. I was also honoured to attend the TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science, Service and Incentive Awards Ceremony in which the Honourable President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğon, delivered an inspiring address and gave awards and certificates to scientists and institutions recognized for their outstanding contributions to medical research, scientific excellence and healthcare innovation. I extend warm felicitations to Minister Memişoğlu, @saglikbakanligi & @tusebgovtr on convening yet another highly successful edition of the Congress and thank the Government of Türkiye for providing an important platform for scientific exchange, innovation and stronger international health partnerships. #D8 #TürkTıpDünyasıKurultayı #ÜretenSağlık #GlobalHealth #HealthCooperation

On the sidelines of the 9th World Investment Forum 2026 convened by @UNCTAD in Doha, I had the opportunity to have substantive bilateral meetings with H.E. @jam_kamal, Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt @investmin_EG; Ms. Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, Director-General of ICDT @ICDT_OIC ; and Mr. @tlamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of @ITU. Discussions with the Honourable Ministers from 🇵🇰&🇪🇬focused on accelerating implementation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), reducing non-tariff barriers, strengthening trade facilitation, enhancing private-sector awareness of preferential market access, and expanding business and investment linkages. We also exchanged views on strengthening connectivity of financial institutions as part of the efforts to promote closer economic collaboration across the bloc and to raise intra-D-8 trade to the target level of $ 500 billion by 2030. Ongoing D-8 deliberations to move towards a comprehensive economic partnership were also discussed. Engagement with ICDT explored enhanced institutional cooperation through joint trade promotion initiatives, business forums, private-sector engagement and capacity-building programmes. Discussions with ITU focused on opportunities for joint programmes and technical assistance in digital connectivity, ICT infrastructure, AI, digital inclusion, technological capacity-building and youth entrepreneurship. These exchanges reinforced D-8’s commitment to translating shared priorities into concrete initiatives, deepening institutional partnerships, and advancing mutually-beneficial South-South cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development. #D8 #UNCTAD #WIF2026 #WorldInvestmentForum #SouthSouthCooperation

Glad to participate in the 9th World Investment Forum 2026, hosted by the State of Qatar in Doha in collaboration with @UNCTAD, under the theme “Investing in the Future” — bringing together over 5,000 participants from 160 countries including leaders, ministers, senior officials, heads of regional and international organisations, investors, and representatives of corporate sector, academia, and the media. Besides attending the Opening Ceremony, I shared perspectives as a panellist in three separate Sessions on: “International Investment Facilitation Policies”; “International Investment Agreement (IIA) Reform”; and “Investing Beyond GDP for Sustainable and Inclusive Progress.” In my interventions, I stressed the importance of mobilising sustainable investment, strengthening international partnerships, advancing the green transition and digital transformation, and ensuring that investment delivers tangible benefits for the people and the planet. I also commended UNCTAD on launching the ‘Guiding Principles for International Investment Agreement Reform’, underscoring the importance of balanced, modern investment frameworks that safeguard policy space for States while enhancing investor confidence and promoting responsible investment. The D-8's initiatives in trade facilitation, SME development, technological cooperation, youth engagement and empowerment, green transition and digital transformation, were highlighted — while emphasising the importance of translating investment into inclusive growth, decent jobs, greater well-being, and sustainable development. I extend sincere felicitations to the Government and leadership of Qatar and @UNCTAD on holding a highly successful global forum, indeed a platform with substantive, result-oriented focus on all dimensions of international investment. #WIF2026 #UNCTAD #D8 #InvestingInTheFuture #SustainableDevelopment

Participated, today, in the 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference, hosted by H.E. FM @HakanFidan under the theme “Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace: Mediation in a Changing World.” In his opening address, he underscored the urgent need to create space for diplomacy and strengthen mediation for lasting peace, while emphasising three guiding principles: sincere dialogue, sustained mediation, regional ownership. On the sidelines, I had fruitful exchanges with OIC Secretary-General H.E. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (@OIC_OCI); Palestine’s Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin (@pmofa); and other participating dignitaries. In a productive bilateral meeting, H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (@UNAOC), and I discussed building an institutional relationship and forging cooperation in areas of common interest. I also shared perspective on the importance of the Mediation Conference and highlighted D-8’s core priorities of economic cooperation and integration in an interview with @AnadoluAgency, reaffirming the importance of dialogue, multilateral partnerships, and collective action for peace and shared prosperity. #D8 #IstanbulMediation #MediationForPeace #RegionalCooperation #AllianceofCivilizations

My engagements on the sidelines of the 52nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad included a fruitful exchange with H.E. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the @OIC_OCI. I extended warm felicitations on his recent election, lauded his leadership and vision for OIC, wished him a fulfilling and impactful term, highlighted the breadth of D-8’s collaboration with the OIC and its affiliate bodies, and conveyed the resolve to build a deeper, multifaceted D8-OIC partnership. In my meeting with Iraq’s Deputy Foreign Minister H.E. Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Uloom, I congratulated him on successful convening of the 52nd Session of OIC CFM, hailed the Baghdad CFM as a significant diplomatic achievement for Iraq, and apprised him of the progress being made in regional economic cooperation within the D-8 framework. We agreed to remain in touch. In the meeting with Vice Foreign Minister of Thailand, H.E. Dr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, I highlighted the D-8’s founding vision, its trans-continental character and formidable capacities of its members, its core mission of economic cooperation, its progress on various sectoral tracks, and its expanding international outreach. In particular, I underscored the D-8’s importance as a platform for South-South cooperation. The CFM also provided the opportunity for brief interactions with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed; and UN Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations [@UNAOC] and UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. I stressed D-8’s keen interest in strengthening collaboration with the United Nations, with which it has an Observer status. Overall, alongside media interactions, these engagements served to strengthen and diversify the D-8’s external relations, raise its international profile and visibility, reinforce collaboration with regional and global institutions, and explore new partnerships in pursuit of shared priorities. @D8org @OIC_OCI @Iraqimofa @MFAThai @UN @AminaJMohammed @MiguelMoratinos #D8 #OrganisationofIslamicCooperation #52ndCFM #EconomicCooperation

Privileged to participate in the 52nd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Baghdad, at the invitation of the OIC Secretary-General. Held under the theme “Dialogue and Solidarity: Two Fundamental Pillars for Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development,” the Session underscores the importance of international cooperation and collective action. On the sidelines, I had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt; H.E. Mr. Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; and H.E. Mr. Muhammad Anis Matta, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. Our exchanges centred on progress being made in the D-8 sectoral cooperation processes; the schedule of Ministerial meetings and other significant activities in the lead-up to the 12th D-8 Summit in Indonesia in early 2027; and the Organisation’s steadily growing external relations. Specifically, we reviewed matters related to expanding D-8 trade and investment, strengthening economic integration, and advancing practical cooperation for shared prosperity. Indeed, the CFM offering great opportunity to proactively pursue diplomatic outreach, deepen ties with regional and international partners, and enhance efforts to translate shared priorities into tangible results for Member States. @OIC_OCI @MOFAEGYPT @BDMOFA @Kemlu_RI #D8 #OIC #52ndCFM #EconomicCooperation

Delighted to receive H.E. Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, former D-8 Secretary-General and Chairman of Al-Hidayah Group, along with his delegation at the D-8 Secretariat in Istanbul. Together, we reviewed progress under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in July 2023, particularly the proposed economic model and integrated digital platform aimed at facilitating cross-border trade and investment, enhancing SME market access, promoting financial inclusion and mobilizing resources for productive economic activities. The delegation highlighted the model’s potential to stimulate economic activity, contribute to higher GDP growth, and support sustainable development across D-8 Member States. I appreciated the Group’s initiative and their update on its further development – emphasizing the desirability of practical, commercially-viable and inclusive platforms aligned with D-8 priorities. Also emphasized the importance of close consultations with relevant stakeholders in Member States for next steps and path forward. #D8 #EconomicCooperation #DigitalEconomy

At the TEKNOFEST in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, I had the privilege to attend Honourable President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s inspiring address; interact with key policy-makers and technology leaders; visit pavilions of major tech companies; and engage with young innovators. The focus of our efforts was to strengthen the prospects of a formidable D-8 technology partnership — keeping in view technological transformations taking place globally and across the D-8 geography. Held from 30 September-4 October, this was yet another highly impactful edition of TEKNOFEST — with powerful showcasing of Türkiye’s growing technological prowess across a broad spectrum and participation of more than a million people from different walks of life. I congratulate Industry and Technology Minister @mfatihkacir, Board Chairman and Chairman of T3 Foundation @Selcuk Bayraktar, and all partner institutions for their meticulous planning and seamless execution. We look forward to deepening D-8’s association with TEKNOFEST, which has over the years transformed into an internationally-renowned brand. I also take this opportunity to thank Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak for the warm welcome and for thoughtful arrangements to introduce us to this ‘City of Prophets,’ its pre-historic past, its rich cuisine and music, and its immense tourism potential. @teknofest @TCSanayi @Tubitak @T3Vakfi @UrfaValiligi @gap_idaresi #D8 #TEKNOFEST #TEKNOFESTSoutheast #TechnologyPartnership #ArtificialIntelligence