D-8 Commissioners adopts a Joint Communique to express solidarity with the Palestinian People

The 47th Session of the D-8 Commission, chaired by the D-8 Commissioner of Bangladesh and Director General (International Organizations), Ms. Wahida Ahmed, continued for a second day on 23 October 2023. The D-8 Commissioners, D-8 Secretary-General and Officials from the D-8 Secretariat attended the meeting. During the inaugural of the 47th Session of the D-8 Commission on 22 October 2023, Foreign Secretary, H.E. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen urged the D-8 Commissioners to adopt a Joint declaration to express solidarity and support for the Palestinian People. In line with the proposal of Foreign Secretary, the D-8 Commissioners adopted a statement titled ‘Joint Communique of the D-8 Commission On Solidarity with Palestinian People’ on the second-day of the D-8 Commission.

In the Joint Communique, the D-8 Commissioners expressed profound condolences to the Palestinian People for the huge loss of lives and suffering that are caused by the Israeli military aggression and called for immediate cessation of hostilities and stopping the crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

The D-8 Commissioners discussed on the issues related to the six priority areas of cooperation of D-8, i.e. Trade, Agriculture and Food Security, Industrial Cooperation, Energy and Minerals, Transportation and Tourism. Additionally, the D-8 Commissioners discussed about the possibility of mainstreaming Climate Change, Disaster Management, and economic empowerment of women issues in the D-8.

In the meeting, the Chair and the D-8 Commissioner of Bangladesh updated the Commission on the establishment of the D-8 Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bangladesh and invited the Member States for a site visit in the proposed Zones for the D-8 SEZ. The Chair also updated the meeting on the progress made regarding the establishment of D-8 Youth Council in Dhaka.

The current President of the D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industry (D-8 CCI), Mr. Sheikh Fazle Fahim briefed the D-8 Commissioners about the update on the activities of the D-8 CCI and invited the Member States to participate in the 3rd General Assembly of the D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh assumed Chairmanship of the D-8 from the President of Turkiye at the 10th D-8 Summit on 08 April 2021.