D-8 chief pledges continued support to Azerbaijan

The D-8 group of developing countries will provide ongoing support to Azerbaijan, said D-8 Secretary-General Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam during a video conference session at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Youth Forum held in Azerbaijan's Aghdam city.

Imam praised the organisation of the Youth Forum, emphasising the importance of young people as future leaders, according to a local media outlet, cited by Caliber.Az.

He announced that the D-8 countries have decided to launch student exchange programs starting next year, reinforcing cooperation and educational ties among member states.

The Developing-8 (D-8) is an organisation of eight Muslim-majority developing countries—Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye—established in 1997 to promote economic cooperation and development among member states. Azerbaijan is not a formal member but has been actively engaging with D-8 countries through regional forums and multilateral initiatives, particularly within platforms like the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).

The Youth Forum of the ECO, held in Aghdam in 2025, brought together young representatives from various member states to discuss regional cooperation, sustainable development, and opportunities for youth empowerment. The forum emphasised strengthening partnerships among youth organisations, education exchanges, and economic collaboration.

By Khagan Isayev