Leaders from Egypt, T\u00fcrkiye, and Iran convened in Cairo on Thursday for the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation, addressing pressing regional issues including the turmoil in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi opened the summit by highlighting the major challenges facing the region. “The persistent Israeli war against the Palestinian people,” he noted, along with the vulnerable conditions in Lebanon and Syria, underscore the need for collective action. “The global landscape is dominated by conflicts and wars, exacerbated by the rise of economic and trade protectionism and the prevalence of double standards,” al-Sisi added.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for the D-8 countries to take concrete steps to end the Israeli “aggressions” against Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. “We should stand together in light of the developments that the world is witnessing,” he urged, accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and committing genocide against the Palestinians. Pezeshkian’s visit marked the first by an Iranian president to Cairo in 11 years.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Ankara’s close monitoring of developments in Syria and stressed 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 to formulate comprehensive strategies for recovery from crises,” Erdogan stated. He also advocated for expanding D-8 membership to enhance the organization’s global influence, welcoming Azerbaijan as a new member.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto urged solidarity and joint action under international law to enhance cooperation and achieve sustainable development.
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Leaders from Egypt, Türkiye, Iran address Mideast issues at D-8 summit
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