Indonesia Presidency: It's Time for D-8 to Become the Center of the Global Halal Industry

Ambassador Tri Tharyat (holding a microphone) while explaining about the Indonesian presidency at D-8. (VOI/Fauzi) Apple product

JAKARTA - Indonesia is expected to be a driving force to bring the D-8 economic cooperation group to the center of the global halal industry, so that the benefits are not only felt by member countries, but also by the international community, said Indonesian diplomat Punjul Setya Nugraha.

Speaking at the "Diplomatic Ngobras, Indonesian Chairmanship in D-8: Strengthening Solidarity and Cooperation in the Global South" event, Punjul, who had served as the Director of Economic Cooperation of the D-8, said that the halal industry was one of the priorities in Indonesia's chairmanship next year.

Effective January 1, 2026, the Indonesian presidency this time carries the theme "Navigating Global Shifts: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity."

One of the side events of the Indonesian Presidency's activities in the D-8 in 2026 is the Halal Expo. This aims to encourage the halal industry to become one of the central cooperation of the D-8.

"The halal expo is expected to be a kind of platform to launch or boost halal cooperation among the D-8 countries," he explained, Friday (19/12).

Furthermore, the diplomat who is currently serving as Director II Europe admitted that so far the halal industry has not been a central cooperation in the D-8, even including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

"We have not yet received the term center stage. This will be pushed to become one of the priorities of the Indonesian presidency, that the halal industry of all D8 member countries needs to be explored its potential and developed as a unity or strength whose benefits are not only felt by the people in member countries, but also the international community," he said.

"It's time for D8 to become a center for the global halal industry. A heavy target, Indonesia believes it can be a driver," said Punjul.

It is known that the 12th D8 Summit will be held in Jakarta on April 15, 2026. It is preceded by a meeting of commissioners or high officials on April 12-13, as well as a meeting of foreign ministers on April 14. The upcoming summit is expected to produce a "Jakarta Declaration".

In addition, there will also be a special session on Palestine as a form of humanitarian commitment and solidarity. It is also hoped that the special session will be able to produce a "Joint Declaration".

It is also planned to hold a Business and Investment Forum held on April 14, 2026, as well as the D-8 Halal Expo on April 14-16, 2026.

Established on June 15, 1997, the current members of the D-8 include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Indonesia's presidency priorities include; economic and trade integration, halal economic development, connectivity and digital transformation, blue economy and green transition, and D8 organization reform.