Dr. Seyed AliMohammad Mousavi, the D-8 Secretary-General, called on Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia on 23 August 2016 at the latter’s office in Jakarta.

The two interlocutors held a fruitful and effective discussion in a cordial environment. Dr. Mousavi informed the Minister of the latest developments taking place within the Organization and conveyed that the Secretariat was working in full swing to implement the vision set by the Organization’s leaders. He updated the Minister with the outcome of 5th D-8 Industry Ministers’ Meeting held in Cairo in May 2016 and 2nd Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in Islamabad in February 2016 and conveyed that the Declarations adopted in the Ministerial plenaries adopted a number of decisions to take cooperation to a newer height. He also updated the Minister with the works of Task Forces and Senior Officials’ Meeting preceding the Ministerial session. He mentioned that the D-8 Trade Ministers agreed on the implementation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement with effect from 01 July 2016. He sought the Minister’s support in furthering common agenda to consolidate the partnership among the Member States. 

Minister Retno warmly appreciated the Secretary-General and assured him of all cooperation. She mentioned that Indonesia always attached high importance to increasing trade and economic activities among the D-8 Members and assured the Secretary-General of all efforts on the part of Indonesia. 

They also discussed the challenges and barriers facing the organization in implementing the intra-trade target. The Secretary-General informed the Foreign Minister of the upcoming session of the Commission scheduled in September 2016 in Turkey as well as the 17th regular session of the Council of Foreign Ministers scheduled provisionally on 22 September 2016 in the side-line of the 71st session of the UNGA in New York. He requested the valuable presence and contribution of the Minister in the Council session and added that her contribution and guidance in the meeting would provide valuable inputs for future course of action of the organization. 

The D-8 Secretary-General also updated the Foreign Minister with the discussion held with Industry Minister of Indonesia on the possibility of holding 6th D-8 Industry Ministers’ meeting in Indonesia in 2017 in order to see Indonesia more engaged in D-8 development activities. The Industry Minister warmly welcomed the suggestion and assured the Secretary-General to consider holding the meeting in 2017.

Earlier, the Secretary-General met Ambassador Hassan Kleib, the D-8 Commissioner of Indonesia on the same day.