D-8 Organization For Economic Cooperation

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The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood undertook his first official visit to Baku on the occasion of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which also provided an important opportunity for a series of high-level bilateral engagements with the leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Secretary-General had a brief interaction with H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during which he expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s active and dynamic participation in D-8 processes and for the strong momentum it has brought to the Organization’s activities since becoming a full Member State.

The Secretary-General also held substantive meetings with H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy; H.E. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President; and Mr. Ahmed Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on further deepening cooperation in D-8 priority sectors and advancing practical collaboration among Member States.

The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood participated in the “D-8 High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue,” held on the sidelines of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan from 17–22 May 2026.

Held under the theme “Powering Sustainable Cities in the D-8 Region: Aligning Energy Transitions with Urban Development Agendas,” the Dialogue brought together Ministers, senior representatives, mayors, and experts from D-8 Member States to exchange views on advancing sustainable urban development, clean energy transformation, resilient cities, and affordable housing across the D-8 region.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General highlighted the growing importance of aligning energy transition strategies with urban development priorities, while strengthening innovation, sustainable economic growth, South-South cooperation, and international partnerships. Discussions throughout the Dialogue underscored the shared commitment of D-8 Member States to advancing practical cooperation and collective approaches toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood participated in the opening ceremony of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku and attended the inaugural address delivered by H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Co-organized by the Government of Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat from 17–22 May 2026, the Forum was convened under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” The global gathering brought together leaders, ministers, senior officials, mayors, experts, and representatives of civil society from around the world to discuss pressing urban challenges and sustainable development priorities.

With more than 40,000 registered participants from 182 countries, WUF13 represented one of the largest international platforms dedicated to urban development and resilient communities. The successful hosting of the Forum further underscored Azerbaijan’s growing profile as a venue for major international events, following its successful organization of COP29 in 2024.

The 29th Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul, held from 11–13 May under the thematic focus of “Global Responsibility,” concluded with a high-level session featuring 11 former Heads of State and Government from participating countries.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation held brief interactions with several distinguished participants, including former Presidents of the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Türkiye, as well as the former Foreign Minister of Egypt and other senior delegates.

The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation addressed the opening session of the 29th Eurasian Economic Summit held in Istanbul, organized by the Marmara Group Foundation under the theme “Global Responsibility” amid growing challenges to global peace, stability, and environmental sustainability.

The Summit brought together former Heads of State and Government, ministers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, and senior representatives of international organizations, providing an important platform for dialogue on pressing global issues.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General highlighted the increasingly complex international environment marked by ongoing conflicts, intensifying geopolitical competition, erosion of multilateralism, economic uncertainties, climate-related challenges, supply chain disruptions, rising protectionism, and widening development disparities. He emphasized the indispensable role of diplomacy, dialogue, and sustainable development in addressing the multiple crises facing the international community.

Underscoring the importance of collective action and stronger international cooperation, he stressed that sustainable peace and stability, inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, innovation, connectivity, and strengthened partnerships remain essential for responding effectively to contemporary global challenges.

The Secretary-General also reaffirmed the D-8’s commitment to advancing cooperation among Member States in areas such as trade, investment, digital transformation, agricultural modernization, energy, and innovation-driven growth, while promoting the principles of dialogue, cooperation, justice, equality, and multilateralism.

Addressing the High-Level Virtual Consultations on Visa Facilitation among D-8 Member States, Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the importance of enhanced mobility and strengthened ‘soft connectivity’ for deeper institutional cooperation, private sector engagement, intra-D-8 trade and investment collaboration, economic integration, and people-to-people linkages.

The Meeting, chaired by Bangladesh, reviewed progress on existing visa facilitation arrangements and explored practical pathways to facilitate visa and travel procedures for officials and accredited businesspersons across the D-8 region.

Member States reaffirmed their commitment to promoting greater mobility and facilitation of travel across the D-8 geography through appropriate instruments and arrangements in line with the objectives of the D-8 Organisation and the priorities set out in the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030.

The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, participated in the 9th Meeting of D-8 SME Governmental Bodies, contributing to discussions aimed at advancing a shared vision for strengthening and expanding SME cooperation among Member States.

The meeting featured wide-ranging and substantive exchanges, reflecting a strong collective commitment to enhancing international partnerships, advancing the work of the D-8 SME Centre in Abuja, and shaping forward-looking Action Plans. These efforts are expected to support the development of more connected, resilient, and innovation-driven SME ecosystems across the D-8 region.

While observing the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace today (April 24), it is essential to recognize that the threats to international peace and security as well as sustainable development are at an unprecedentedly high level. For addressing the critical deficits in these domains, and for building a safer world as envisaged in the founding vision of the United Nations, there is no substitute for dialogue, enhanced mutual understanding, and collective action. It is imperative today, more than ever before, to reaffirm abiding commitment to the UN Charter, strictly adhere to the Charter’s purposes and principles, ensure universal respect for international law, and take practical steps to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity.

Diplomacy and UN-centered multilateralism remain indispensable for tackling the complex, multifaceted global challenges of our times and for advancing the core objectives of just peace and sustainable development in a manner that meets the aspirations of nations and peoples across the globe.

On the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 ( ), the Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation held a very productive meeting with H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, he conveyed deep appreciation for Azerbaijan’s active role in the D-8 process, guided by the vision and commitment of H.E. Ilham Aliyev. The year 2025 saw Azerbaijan hosting a range of high-level events, thereby lending further momentum to the Organisation’s overall work. He also expressed appreciation for 🇦🇿’s initiative regarding the establishment of three Centres of Excellence in the areas of energy and climate; transport cooperation; and media. In addition to strengthening the institutional architecture of the D-8, these Centres are expected to advance sectoral cooperation among Member States in key areas.

Foreign Minister Bayramov reiterated Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to the D-8, describing it as a high priority in the country’s foreign policy. He also reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s full support for further deepening intra-bloc collaboration, operationalising the three Centres at the earliest, facilitating Ministerial dialogue on a range of sectoral priorities, and supporting the D-8’s efforts in the media and information domain to enhance international awareness of the Organisation’s current initiatives and future trajectory.