Leaders of Egypt, Trkiye, Iran discuss Middle East issues at J-8-Xinhua summit

Leaders and senior officials pose for a group photo during the 11th Eight Developing Countries (D-8) Summit of the Organization for Economic Cooperation in Cairo, Egypt, December 19, 2024. D-8 originally refers to the eight Muslim-majority developing countries. countries of Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Azerbaijan joined the organization as a new member during the 11th summit. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

CAIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — Leaders of Egypt, Turkey and Iran met at a summit in Cairo on Thursday where they discussed regional issues, including unrest in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

Opening the 11th Summit of the Organization for Development Economic Cooperation (D-8), Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi discussed major regional challenges, including “the persistent Israeli war against the Palestinian people” and the vulnerable situation in Lebanon. and Syria.

“The global landscape is dominated by conflicts and wars, exacerbated by the rise of economic and trade protectionism and the prevalence of double standards,” he added.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed in his speech that the D-8 countries should take concrete and practical steps to end Israeli “aggressions” against Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

“We must be united in the face of developments that the world is witnessing,” he added, accusing Israel of using famine as a weapon of war and committing genocide against the Palestinians.

Pezeshkian's visit to Cairo is the first by an Iranian president in 11 years.

In his speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was closely monitoring developments in Syria, stressing the importance of developing rapid plans to rebuild the country.

“The world today is witnessing conflicts and tensions that affect international stability, which imposes on international organizations, including the D-8, the need to adapt to global developments and work on formulating strategies global solutions to end the crisis,” Erdogan told participants.

The Turkish leader also called for expanding the membership of the D-8 to strengthen the organization's global influence, and welcomed Azerbaijan's membership as a new member of the D-8.

D-8 initially refers to the eight Muslim-majority developing countries: Egypt, Türkiye, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Azerbaijan joined the organization as a new member during the 11th summit.

Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called at the summit for solidarity and joint action within the framework of international law to strengthen cooperation and achieve common sustainable development.

“We must put aside our differences and work as one force to achieve prosperity for our people, because cooperation is the secret of our strength,” he said.

The 11th summit also brought together renowned non-D-8 guests, including Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

During the summit, Mikati urged Arab countries to support Lebanon in the reconstruction process and boost the path to sustainable development, starting with addressing the repercussions of the recent Israeli “aggression.”

“Is it right to talk about economic cooperation while Israeli aggression against Lebanon, Syria and Gaza continues?” he asked.

Participants also focused on empowering young people by boosting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the summit, themed “Investing in youth and supporting SMEs: shaping the economy of tomorrow.”

Leaders and senior officials attend the 11th Summit of the Organization for Economic Cooperation in Development (D-8) in Cairo, Egypt, December 19, 2024. D-8 originally refers to the eight developing countries at Muslim majority in Egypt and Turkey. , Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Azerbaijan joined the organization as a new member during the 11th summit. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)