Secretary General of Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), H.E. Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, was one of the global leaders that attended the just-concluded 2nd Annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), which took place from 11-13 March 2022 in the coastal city of Antalya, on the Mediterranean Sea in the Republic of Turkiye. This august gathering attracted Heads of State, Ministers, Policy makers, diplomats, business leaders, academics, representatives of youth organizations, as well as the media.

Ambassador Imam, who attended this forum on the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Turkiye, participated as a member of a panel of discussants, along with three other high-ranking dignitaries on the issue tagged: “Post–Pandemic recovery, livelihoods and localities”. The discussion of the eminent panelists addressed the issue of economic recovery in the post pandemic period.

While sharing experiences and efforts being made by D-8 Member countries on post-Covid-19 strategies, the Secretary General lamented over the devastating effects the pandemic had had on all the sectors of the economy of member states, stressing that tourism and industry sectors were the worst hit.  He added that the establishment of D-8 Health and Social Protection programme, which has its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, was amongst other measures taken by D-8 member states to effectively respond to the economic adversities that may arise as a result of the effect of the

pandemic. It is expected that the D-8 HSP office will also help member states tackle other health related issues that may affect member states of D-8 Organization.

During his participation in the Antalya event, Ambassador Imam had several bilateral meetings with several high-ranking dignitaries, diplomats, business leaders, academics, including granting interview to Anadolu Agency, the foremost news agency in the Republic of Turkiye.