PM Shehbaz Sharif to Attend D-8 Summit in Cairo
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Cairo today to participate in the 11th summit of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, a group of eight developing nations. The summit, scheduled from December 18 to 20, will focus on the theme “Investing in Youth, Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy.”
The D-8, established to foster economic collaboration, includes Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nigeria, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkiye.
In a statement from the Foreign Office, it was highlighted that Prime Minister Sharif would reaffirm Pakistan’s strong commitment to the D-8’s vision and stress the significance of partnerships for mutual prosperity.
Key issues to be discussed at the summit include food security, agriculture, and tourism, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation among member states.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will also participate in a special session addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon, with discussions on the challenges of reconstruction following Israeli actions. The Foreign Office confirmed that Sharif will emphasize Pakistan’s position on the Middle East conflict and continue advocating for peace in the region.
Additionally, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will represent Pakistan at the 21st D-8 Council of Ministers meeting on December 18.
Prime Minister Sharif’s visit will include bilateral discussions with key leaders, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic ties within the D-8 framework. Formed in 1997, the D-8 seeks to promote economic cooperation and sustainable growth among its members. This year’s summit places a strong emphasis on youth empowerment and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to shape the economies of the future.
