The 9th Summit of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) under the motto "Expanding Opportunities through Cooperation" has been held in Istanbul.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the Summit as a special guest at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Prior to the Summit a joint photo was taken.

The Summit started with the recitation of ayahs from Holy Quran.

In his opening remarks, Secretary General of the Developing Eight Countries Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi highlighted the importance of the event.

Outgoing Chair of the D-8, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced that the chairmanship of D-8 passes from Pakistan to Turkey.

In his remarks, new Chair of the Organization, President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the activities of the D-8, which covers the three continents, as successful over the last 20 years. He underlined the significance of holding the Summit against a background of the global tensions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the 9th Summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

Following the speeches, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the D-8 and the Islamic Development Bank with the participation of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government.

D-8 is an organization for development of cooperation among the countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. Two members of the organization, Turkey and Indonesia are members of the "Great Twenty" (G-20).

The establishment of D-8 was announced officially through the Istanbul Declaration of Summit of Heads of State/Government on June 15, 1997.

The objectives of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to improve member states' position in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at international level, and improve standards of living.

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev completed his visit to the Republic of Turkey, on October 20.

AZERTAC