JAKARTA - Indonesia continues to finalize preparations for the D8 Economic Cooperation Organization Summit, when Indonesia's chairmanship is effective from January 1, 2026.
Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, said that the preparations made included those related to the presence of all D8 member state leaders.
"Preparations for the D8 Summit, the Summit will be held on April 15 and while we are completing various preparations, so that in April everything can be implemented, in accordance with various topics and issues that we raise," explained Yvonne in a press statement in Jakarta, Thursday (8/1).
"We are starting to reach out to member countries so that the leaders of the country can be present," he explained.
Regarding the presence of the leaders of member countries, Yvonne revealed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Sugiono, would convey an invitation from President Prabowo Subianto to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the D8 Summit, during a courtesy visit in Istanbul on January 10.
Indonesia as the Chair of the D8 this year carries the presidential theme "Navigating Global Shifts: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity."
Director General of Multilateral Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tri Tharyat, in the "Diplomatic Diplomacy, Indonesian Chairmanship in D-8: Strengthening Solidarity and Cooperation in the Global South" activity last month explained that the theme was chosen to strengthen the South-South economic cooperation platform, in line with the Bandung Charter, and to consider the importance of solidarity and economic independence among developing countries.
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.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the II Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, said that ahead of the summit, there would be activities with the theme of empowering the halal economy.
"That (halal economy) is one of the main agendas of our chairmanship. We are trying to make activities related to halal economy have a forum, there is a large enough space. So the hope is that from these activities, we can optimize (halal economy) among the D8 countries," explained Nabyl.
Regarding the halal industry, Director II Europe, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Punjul Setya Nugraha said, 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 the international community.
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," explained Punjul, who had served as the Director of Economic Cooperation of the D-8, last month.
Furthermore, he explained, so far the halal industry has not been a central point of cooperation in the D-8, even including in 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.
"The enthusiasm for the Halal Expo is very high from other countries," explained Ambassador Tri Tharyat.
Established on June 15, 1997, the current members of the D-8 include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
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