Prabowo Invites United D-8 Countries To Defend Palestine

Presiden Prabowo dalam Konferensi Tinggi (KTT) D-8 di Istana Kepresidenan The New Capital, Kairo, Mesir, Kamis 19 Desember 2024 (dok Setneg)

JAKARTA The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, invites countries that are members of the D-8 Economic Cooperation Organization to put aside differences and unite to defend Palestine.

"From the current geopolitical situation, we learn that without unity and ability to overcome differences, we will not be strong. We say support for Palestine, but if we are weak, how can we provide real support to Palestine?" he said at the D-8 Summit at The New Capital Presidential Palace, Cairo, Egypt, Thursday 19 December.

Prabowo stressed that D-8, as the third largest economic bloc in the world, has great potential to become a global force. This block recorded a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 4.81 trillion last year.

Based on the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) analysis, D-8 member states are projected to enter 25 countries with the largest economies in the world by 2050.

In addition, he highlighted the potential of the "blue economy" owned by D-8 member states. These countries are surrounded by strategic waters, such as the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. With the total world fisheries value reaching USD 600 billion, this block has the opportunity to become the largest maritime economic power.

"Therefore, we must unite. We need to work together beyond differences, seek benefit for our people. Without unity and integration, we will become weak. If we are weak, we will be exploited. That is historical law," he stressed.