We, the Heads of State and Government of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey met in Abuja, Nigeria, on 8 July 2010 for the 7th Summit of the Developing Eight Countries (D-8).

2. We exchanged views on issues of common interest and future strategy for our cooperation and reaffirm our commitment, to pursue with vigour the goals and objectives we had set out for ourselves in the Istanbul, Dhaka, Cairo, Tehran, Bali and Kuala Lumpur Declarations.

3. We recognise that the Abuja Summit, with the theme “Enhancing Investment Cooperation among D-8 Members”, takes place at a time the world is making slow and uncertain recovery from the global financial and economic crisis which, though affected Member Countries in varying degrees, is a wake-up call for inclusive and broad based cooperation and coordination in the management of the global economic system. We recognize that the D-8 Members, during the recent financial crisis have come up with many innovative ways of management of their own financial systems which helped them protect against deeper shocks and fall-out as a result of the global economic slowdown. We, however, note that the wisdom of these economies is not being reflected in the formulation of the emerging international financial architecture. We call on Member Countries to reflect the views and concerns of the developing countries in the regional and global economic institutions such as ECO, ECOWAS, ASEAN and in particular G-20 where the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Turkey are members.

4. We agree that in an increasingly globalised world, the D-8 model of cooperation provides a viable form of South-South cooperation. We therefore resolve to broaden and strengthen this cooperation in order to develop our economies and also empower our countries to participate more actively in the process of globalisation.

5. We recognise that while the role of governments as catalysts and enablers of economic growth must remain pivotal, D-8 cooperation must essentially be private-sector driven. Accordingly, we reaffirm the importance of intense private sector involvement in all activities of the Group. We instruct the Commission further to explore ways of promoting private sector-led cooperation and growth among the D-8 member countries.

6. We commend Nigeria for choosing “Enhancing Investment Cooperation among D-8 Members” as the theme of the 7th D-8 Summit as well as organising the D-8 Business and Investment Forum and the Trade Fair on the margins of the Summit.

We recognise that intra D-8 investments are essential for deepening the economic relationship among the member countries. We recognise that the present intra D-8 investments are far below the potential of the member countries. We, therefore, reaffirm our resolve to take immediate measures to encourage, facilitate and promote foreign direct investment (FDI) in the priority areas. In this regard, we direct the Commission to explore ways and means to establish a D-8 investment fund and identify investment opportunities in the member countries, including the proposal by the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish the D-8 Joint Investment Fund. We call upon the private sectors of the member countries to take advantage of the liberal investment regimes, skilled manpower and low cost of doing business in other D-8 member countries. We encourage regular interaction and sharing of information on investment opportunities by the authorities of the D-8 member countries with the private sector and chambers of commerce with the aim to create greater awareness for availing these opportunities. The Secretariat should develop “Business Forum Web Page” on its website to facilitate and engage private sector involvement in D-8 activities and programs.

7. We believe that free and fair trade is beneficial for the global economy. We also believe that access to the markets of major economies of the world is essential for poverty alleviation and economic development. We would, therefore, like to see a meaningful and fair conclusion of the negotiations of the Doha development agenda of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

8. We acknowledge the instrumental role of energy in economic growth and development, and while reaffirming our commitment to broaden and deepen cooperation in that sector, stress the importance of collaborative efforts on capacity-building, transfer of technology, exploration of new energy sources, development of alternative fuels, including renewable sources of energy, as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

9. We, taking into account the far-reaching consequences of the global financial and economic crisis, agree to scale-up our cooperation and coordination efforts in relevant international fora to promote our common interests within existing multilateral frameworks.

10. Taking into account that labour migration can be an effective tool for poverty eradication and development and that migration benefits both countries of origin and destination, we reiterate our resolve to enhance cooperation to exchange experiences concerning protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers, both within the context of D-8 and in other regional and global processes, including, in the Global Forum on Migration and Development. We express concern about protection gaps in countries of origin, transit and destination and call for the strengthening of the existing global mechanism to effectively address this issue.

11. We welcome the ratification of the “Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for the Businessmen of the D-8 Member States” by Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey and the entry into force of this important Agreement among these five countries. We believe that this Agreement will give further impetus to increasing and diversifying intra D-8 trade. We invite Member Countries to expedite ratification and operationalization of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and the Multilateral Agreement Among D-8 Member 3 Countries on Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. We urge those countries which have not yet ratified these Agreements to do so.

12. We endorse the Reports of 12th and 13th Sessions of D-8 Council of Ministers and welcome the prioritization of activities of the D-8 Roadmap in the areas of trade, agriculture and food security, industrial cooperation and Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs), transportation, and energy and minerals. We request the Commission to benchmark these priority elements into action plans. Furthermore, regarding the role of SMEs, we call on member countries to take further concerted action to promote cooperation in this field, including through the promotion of micro-financing.

13. We welcome the proposal of the 12th Session of the Council of Ministers to enhance greater socio-cultural contacts through training programme for young diplomats from Member Countries. We recommend, in view of the strategic importance of this initiative that Member Countries to take necessary steps to ensure early implementation of the programme.

14. We, recognizing the important role that Islamic Banking and Finance can contribute to enhancing trade and investment in D-8 Countries, urge Member Countries to foster greater understanding and cooperation in this field, and its application.

15. We direct the Commission, taking into account the importance of shipping in the expansion of D-8 intra-trade, to explore ways of giving further impetus to the D-8 Shipping Forum. We welcome the offer by Nigeria to host a meeting of the Forum in the near future.

16. We endorse the “Kuala Lumpur Initiative to Address Food Security in D-8 Countries”. We urge that efforts should be redoubled to implement the initiatives and strategies contained in that Document.

17. We believe that industrial cooperation should be promoted within the D-8. We welcome the First D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Industry, held in Tehran, Iran in March 2010 and endorse the “Tehran Declaration on D-8 Industrial Cooperation”. The provisions of the Declaration should be implemented without delay.
18. We welcome the outcomes of the First D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Marine & Fisheries and Fertilizers held in Cairo, Egypt in April 2010. The Commission should continue to monitor the follow-up on these meetings.

19. We direct the Commission, taking into account the importance of cooperation in the health sector among D-8 Member Countries, to explore new ways of broadening and strengthening cooperation. In this regard, we welcome the proposal of Turkey to organize workshops on e-heath and tele-medicine as well as training programs in field of mother and child health care for the D-8 Member Countries.

20. We recognize that the MDGs are far reaching but attainable goals for enhancing global partnership for development. We affirm that the D-8 can contribute regionally and globally to guide collective action towards the achievement of the MDGs.

21. We, recognizing the need to codify all D-8 rules and regulations, strengthen its legal and institutional framework and promote it in international community, request the Commission to finalize the draft charter prepared by Secretariat.

22. We acknowledge the commendable work done by the D-8 Secretariat and recognize the meritorious service of Dr. Dipo Alam as the first Secretary General of D-8. We warmly welcome the appointment of Dr. Widi Agoes Pratikto as the new D-8 Secretary General.

23. We express profound appreciation to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honorable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak for his exemplary leadership and untiring efforts in promoting the D-8 objectives during his chairmanship of the Organization.

24. We express profound appreciation to His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Government and the people of Nigeria for hosting the 7th D-8 Summit and for their warm and generous hospitality. We wish His Excellency, the President every success during his chairmanship of the Organization.

25. We accept the gracious offer of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to host the Eighth D-8 Summit in 2012.