10th D-8 Summit; Bangladesh to Become Chair for 2 Yrs

Leaders of the D-8 countries are slated to discuss ways to boost trade, investment and ICT, and address climate challenges and Rohingya issue virtually at the Group's 10th Summit on Thursday afternoon.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the D-8 Summit, which will also see the participation of the leaders of Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hand over the Chairmanship of the D-8 to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the virtual Summit.

The theme of this Summit is ''Partnership for a Transformative World: Harnessing the Power of Youth and Technology".

The Summit, scheduled to begin at 3 pm, is likely to adopt two documents -- "D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030” and ''Dhaka Declaration 2021".

Bangladesh is hosting the 10th D-8 (Developing-8) Summit virtually in the wake of the Covid-19 new normal scenario.

The Summit will put emphasis on strengthening of intra-trade among D-8 member states and in that context will urge the member states to ensure benefits from the D8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) through its proper implementation, UNB has learnt.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh would take all pragmatic initiatives to open new avenues of cooperation among the D-8 member states with the aim of making this Group even more vibrant, active and effective.

In order to minimise the worsening effects of Covid-19 on the world economy, he said that "Bangladesh wants to explore all avenues for economic recovery through collaboration among the D-8 member states".

"Bangladesh believes in a free and equitable access to markets for not only products but also services. It would obviously facilitate D-8 governments and private sectors to come together to highlight how D-8 member states can deepen connectivity, networking and collaboration in light of experiences of the Covid-l9 era," Dr Momen said, while addressing the D-8 19th Council of Ministers (COM) as the Chair.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the first D-8 Summit held in 1997 and Dhaka successfully hosted the second D-8 Summit in 1999.

The D-8 aims for economic cooperation to improve member states’ position in the global economy, to diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, to enhance participation in decision-making at international level, and to improve standards of living.

Meanwhile, the 43rd session of the D-8 Commission was held on April 5-6. On April 5, D-8 Business Forum and first D-8 Youth Summit were held on the sidelines of the Summit.